go <~Te t   THE
PRESBYTERIAN MANUAL:
FORMS FOR THE RECORDS
OF THE
SESSION, PRESBYTERY, AND SYNOD;
AND FOR
THE JUDICIAL AND OTHER ECCLESIASTICAL PROCEEDINGS
REQUIRED BY THE POLITY
OF THE
% /'';''        B
REV. JOHIN iN. LEWIS,
LATELY STATED CLERK OF THE SYNOD OF NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY.
PHILADELPItIA:
PRESBYTERIAN PUBLICATION COMMITTEE,
1334 CHESTNUT STREET.
NEW YORK: A. D. F. RANDOLPH, 683 BROADWAY.
CINCINNATI: WM. SCOTT....ST. LOUIS: J. W. McINTYRE...DETROIT:
RAYMOND & LAPHAM....CHICAGO: WM. TOMLINSON.
An_
CONTAPINING
..
*  * *   @
* et @
* * - @ t
* - * * *
~rtib~terian (l~htxth.
,   }  a- X',
BY 
Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1860, by
WM. L. HILDEBURN, TREASLLEn,
in trust for the
PRESBYTERIAN PUBLICATION COMMITTEE,
'. in the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States for the
*  * *.                       Eastern District of Pennsylvania.
*.'    ~.
c 
BTEKEOTYPED BY L. JOHNSON & CO.
PHILADELPHIA.
O 
I'fa:,' -
CONTENTS.
Records of a Session......................................
Informal Meeting of Session............................
Election of Additional Elders...........................
Death of a Ruling Elder.................................
Death of a Pastor..........................................
Temporary Supply of a Vacant Pulpit...............
Election of a Pastor.......................................
Certificate of Dismission of a Church-Member.....
Letter of Credence for a Church-Member............
Dedication of a House of Worship....................
Minutes of Presbytery....................................
Adjourned Meeting of Presbytery.....................
Special Meeting of Presbytery..........................
Organization of a Church..........................9.....
Discipline-Common Fame.............................
An Individual Accuser...................
Investigation by Request of the Ac               cused......................................
PAGE
5
9
10
13
14
15
18
19
21
22
24
46
51
59
66
83
90 
CONTENTS.
PAOE
Discipline-Contumacy...................................'97
Citations...................................................... 101
Appellate Jurisdiction.................................... 104
Dissents and Protests...................................... 109
Records of a Synod........................................ 115
Standing Rules............................................. 138
Docket of Business......................................... 141
..
1! 
PREFACE.
THE Manual which is herewith presented to
the Church is believed to be the only book of
its class.
The labor of preparing it was undertaken
by the Rev. John N. Lewis, at the request of
a Committee of the General Assembly.
The original design was to append the
"forms" to the new Digest of the Acts and
Decisions of the Assembly, which the committee had been appointed to arrange. When,
however, it was ascertained that the Digest
must be made so much more voluminous than
was at first intended, Mr. Lewis was requested
to enlarge the plan of the Manual, and to
prepare it for publication as a separate and
independent work.
The labor expended upon this volume has
been by no means inconsiderable;  but it is
believed that the attention thus bestowed by
one so eminently qualified by experience and
3
0 
PREFACE.
information for the task, has been well spent.
The Manual will meet the wants of a multitude
of Presbyterian ministers and elders, and prove
to them a great saving, of time and trouble.
To know how to do a thing rieihtl# at first is a
privilege which will be appreciated by those
whose lot it has been to halt for lack of this
information with regard to the details of
ministerial and official duties. In other departments books of forms have long been used,
and are considered indispensable; but for
ecclesiastical proceedings no "Clerk's Assistant" has been put forth. "THE PRESBYTERIAN MANUAL" will doubtless prove acceptable
and helpful to office-bearers in all branches of
the Presbyterian Church.
J. W. D.
I 
THE PRESBYTERIAN MANUAL.
Ftor for tat gt~toS -f     a 2ts~ion.
E-, January 1, 18-.
PURSUANT to the call of the Mloderator, the
Session met in the church, after the Preparatory Lecture, and was opened with prayer.
Present,-the Rev. A. B., Moderator,
Mr. C. D.,
"  E. F.,
"   G. H.,
"  I. K.-Elders.
Absent,-Dr. IL. J. and Mr. M. N.
The minutes of the last meeting were read
and approved.
Mr. IH. gave his reason for being absent fronm
the last meeting of the Session; which was sustained.
L. M., and C. his wife, and N. 0., appeared
before the Session as candidates for admission
to the full communionr of the Church, and 0.
I., andjl S., the wvife of T. E., (both unbaptized,)
1~               5 
6       THE PRESBYTERIAN MANUAL.
as candidates for admission to the privileges
of church-menlibership.*
They  were severally examined  respecting
their experimental aicquaintaec with the Christian religionl, their approval of the doctrinal
standards of the Presbyterian  Church, and their
readiness to submnit tlhemselves to the discipline of Christ's house; and, their examination having been sustained, it was
* The different forms of expression in this minute are intended to mark the important-albeit too much  neglecteddistinction between the children of the Church and the people
of the world,-though the latter may be regular attendants
upon public worship, and connected with the religious society
as known to the civil law.
The former, having been born within the pale of the visible
kingdom of Christ, are to be recognised as the isfitnt meb?i ers
of his Church.   As such, they have a right to receive "the seal
of the covenant," and to enjoy all the privileges appropriate to
this infant relation, including the special oversight, instructions,
and prayers, as well as the affectionate interest of the pastor,
the elders, and the whole body of Christ; and when they arrive
at Christian maturity, indicated not so much by the amount as
by the satisfactory evidence of the reality of their Christian experience, they are to be received into the full comItasulioI of the
Church.
The latter, having no birthright privileges in the Church of
Christ, may be considered as "proselytes of the gate;" who,
on exhibiting credible evidence of "repentance toward  God
and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ," may be admitted, as
proselytes of righteousness," to the privileges of cht,rch-?nemtership, including the sacraments and the brotherhood of the
people of God. 
RECORDS OF A SESSION.
Resolved, That the candidates be received on
the next Sabbath, upon their publicly assenting'
to the Confession and Covenant of this Church.
J. B. presented his certificate of dismission
and recommendation from the Presbyterian
church in H, N.Y., and requested that he
might be admitted to the membership of this
church.
The certificate was found to be in order, and
the request of Mr. B. was granted.
D. Y. presented a similar request, accompanied by a certificate from the Congregational
church in C, Conn.
His certificate having been found to be in
order, his request was granted.
R. C. requested a certificate of dismission
from this church, and of recommendation to
the Presbyterian church in N, Pa.  His
request was granted.
Mr. D. reported that he had attended the
stated autumnal meeting of the Presbytery at
,M., and also the adjourned meeting at D., and
the special meeting at G.
Mir. IH. reported that he had attended the
annual sessions of the Synod at P, N.Y.
Mr. F. was appointed to represent this Session at the stated spring meeting of the Presbytery, and Dr. J. was appointed his alternate.
Th( tfllowing minute was adopted, namely:
7 
8       THE PRESBYTERIAN MIANUAL.
In view of the inadequate supply of psalmbooks in our congregation, and of the fact that
"The Church Psalmist" has been adopted by
our General Assembly as their Book of Psalhns
and Hymns for use in church worship, and that
it is issued by our Publication Committee,
Resolved, That we  adopt  "The  Church
Psalmist," and that Mr. F. be a committee to
ascertain upon what termis a supply of the
book, in different sizes, can be procured.
Mlessrs. D. and N. were appointed a committee to examine the condition of the Sabbathschool connected with this congregation; and
to report, at the next meeting of the Session,
whlat measures, if any, can be adopted to promote the efficiency of that important  institution.
The Moderator and Messrs. K. and F. were
appointed a committee to rearrange our scheme
of collections in aid of the several religious
benevolent societies, with a view to secure the
more general and more liberal co-operation of
the members of the congregation.
The Session then adjourned.
Concluded with prayer.
A. B., Moderator, [or E. F., Clerk.]
F, 
INFORaIAL MIEETINGS OF THE SESSION.    9
Informalt',ilttigs o f    tet Viso.'
[The exigencies of business, as well as Be circumstances of
the several elders, often make it convenient for the pastor to
call a meeting of the Session at the close of some religious
service, when time is not afforded for holding a formedul meeting
and the nature of the business to be transacted does not render
it essential. In such cases, the matter may be acted upon
without delay, and the record may be appropriately entered
upon the minutes of the next regular meeting, in the following
form:-]
It appeared that, at certain informal meetings of the Session, holden since the last regular meeting, D. i., and P. his wife, were dismissed, and recommended to the Presbyterian
church in W, N.J. -Mr. I). was appointed
to represent this Session in the stated autumnal
meeting of the Presbytery, and MIr. F. was appointed his alternate:-and Mr. H. was appointed the delegate to attend the annual meeting of the Synod, and Dr. J. was appointed his
alternate.
Whereuponi, it was
Resolved, That the above proceedings of the
informal meetings be approved and entered
upon the mninutes.
[The appropriate place for this minute is immediately after
the record of the excuses of absentees; or, if there is no such
record, it should foll,w that of the reading and approval of the
minutes. 
10      TIlE PRESBYTERIAN MANUAL.
Th: order of time should always be preserved in such a
mi        and    e  several items of business should be carefully se aredas above,jy a colonsa
dash. G <
If a single informal meeting only has been/holden, the minute
should be commenced,-]
It appeared that, at an informal meeting
holden, &c.
[If only one item of business has been attended to in this
manner, the resolttioit should be expressed,-]
Resolved, That the above action of the informal meeting be approved and entered upon
the minutes.
[A matter of so great concern as the election of additional
elders will naturally be made the subject of conversation in
the Session, and probably at several meetings, before it will be
advisable to take notice of it in the minutes. When, however,
the opinions of the several members begin to assume a more
definite form and to approach a harmonious result, it will be
proper to introduce the subject in a formal manner, which may
be done by the f(ollowving minute:-]
The subject of an increase of the eldership
in this chulrch, havi ng been discussed informally
at several recent meetings of ilte Session, was
again taklenl  li) li, b  conisideraltioll,  tiud
kmintes resptecting t(e fltttioa of It itional
(i~txtr.
.0X 
ELECTION OF ADDITIONAL ELFDERS.    1l
The remainder of the meeting was spent in
consultation upon this important subject:
Pending which,
The Session adjourned, to meet on [Monday]
next, at, &c.
[At the adjourned meeting, after recording the preliminary
business, the minutes may proceed, as follows:-]
The unfinished business of the last meetingnamely, the subject of an increase of the
eldership in this church-was then taken up
for consideration.
After a full and free interchange of opinion,
it was
Resolved, As the unanimous judgment of the
Session, that the welfare of this church, and
the interests of religion within our bounds,
render it expedient that the number of the
eldership should be increased, without unnecessary delay.
Resolved, That the Session will, and hereby
does, recommend to the church the election of
additional ruling elders.
Resolved, further, as the deliberate, cordial,
and unanimous judgment of the Session, That
the following named persons  all being "male
members in full communion in this church"be, and the same hereby are, nominated to the
church as candidates for election to the office
of ruling elder, namely: 
12      THE PRESBYTERIAN MNIANUAL.
Messrs. R. B., T. L. C., and P.S.
Messrs. K. and D. were appointed a committee to wait upon the candidates  above
named, and to inform them of the purpose of
the Session to nominate them to the church
for the purpose aforesaid, and also to obtain,
if possible, their acceptance of the nomination.
[At a subsequent meeting, the committee being prepared to
report, the following record should be made:-]
The committee appointed to wait upon the
candidates for nomination to the eldership reported, that it has performed the duty which
was assigned to it by the Session, and that the
candidates have all signified their acceptance
of the nomination.
The report was accepted; and,
In view thereof, it was
Resolved, That the nomination of the said
candidates be presented to the church on the
next Sabbath, and that it be repeated on the
Sabbath following.
Resolved, That the election for ruling elders
be holden in the lecture-room, at the close of
the first weekly lecture after the nomination
shall have been published the second time;
and that notice to that effect be given from
the pulpit at each time of publishing the nomination.
Resolved, That the candidates, if they shall 
DEATH OF A RULING ELDER.
bic elected by the church, be ordained to the
office of ruling elder on the            Sabbath in
next. [or inst.]
[The candidates having been elected and ordained, a meeting of the Session should be holden, on the earliest convenient
day, for the purpose of receiving and enrolling the new elders.
After the reading of the minutes, and the excuses of absentees,
the record should proceed as follows:-]
It appeared that the brethren nominated by
the Session as candidates for the office of
ruling elder, having been duly and unanimously elected by the church,
Were solemnly ordained to that office on the
Sabbath, the         day of -        inst.
The new elders, being present to-day, were
cordially welcomed to their seats as members
of this Session; and
Their names are now enrolled, as follows,
namely:  Mr. R. B.,
"  T.L.C.,
P. S.-Elders.
muzatt rtspttting t~t State of a Lauling f91ber.
[The following minute is recommended as being sufficiently
full, unless in very extraordinary cases, and as avoiding the
liability to invidious distinctions, against which great care
should always be taken to guard the records of deliberative,
and esliccially of ecclesiastical bodies.]
2
13 
14       TIIE PRESBYTERIAN MANUAL.
Our e;teccmed brother, Mri. P. D., having
been removed by death since the last regular
meeting of tihe Session,
The followving minute is unanimously adopted,
namely:  With humble submission to the dispensation
of God's holy providence, the Session records
the death of one of its minemnbers,-MIr. P. D.,
-who departed this life on [Friday] the
day of      inst., [or ult.,] in the     year of
his age.
Saut   rtsptttig  tte  Ptatil of a  vasto.
[The sentiment of the note prefixed to the minute respecting the death of a ruling elder has influenced the preparation of that now given. In all such cases, a true taste will
indicate simplicity rather than panegyric.]
The Rev. C. D., the pastor of this congregation, having been removed by death since the
last regular meeting of the Session,
The following minute is unanimously adopted,
namely:  With humble submission to the dispensation
of God's holy providence, the Session records
the death of the Rev. C. D., the beloved and
lamented pastor of this congregation, who
departed this life on [Monday] the     day of
inst., [or ult.,] in the  -  year of his 
SUIIPPILY OF A VACANT PULPIT.
age and the       of his ministry; having been
the faithful pastor of this congregation for the
space of - years.
Rinutts rtsptting ttt Etrap a  $ipgg  of a
SDavant blast.
[When the vacancy has been occasioned by the death of the
pastor, the following minute should succeed the one in which
the formal record of the death is made:-]
The following minute also was adopted:
The pulpit of this church having been now
made vacant by the decease of our pastor, it
has become the duty of the Session to provide
for the regular maintenance of the ordinances
of public worship, until God, in his great mercy,
shall send to us another pastor, in whom the
hearts of our bereaved congregation may be
united.
Be it, therefore,
Resolved, That MIessrs. D). and Hf. be appointed a committee to procure supplies for
the pulpit, that the people may not be deprived
of the means of grace in their accustomed
place of public worship.
Resolved, That the Committee of Supplies be
directed to present a respectful request to the
15 
16      TIlE PRESBYTERIAN MANUAL.
Presbytery for the appointment of occasional
supplies, from its own members, for our pulpit;
provided, that at the time of the next meeting
of the Presbytery there shall appear to be no
immediate prospect of our obtaining a pastor.
Resolved, if the Board of Trustees  shall
concur, That the treasurer of the congregation
be authorized and directed to pay to the
ministers who may occupy the pulpit during
the time of its continuing vacant, the sum of
ten dollars for each Sabbathl's services, and of
five dollars for each Preparatory Lecture, together with a suitable allowance for their
travelling expenses.
[If the vacancy shall have been occasioned by the resignlationt of the pastor, the fact of the dissolution of the pastoral
relation, and of the consequent vacancy, may most appropriately be brought upon the records of the Session in the report
of the elder who represented the church in the Presbytery at
the time of its action in the premises.  The record should be:-]
Mr. D. reported that he had attended the
special meeting of the Presbytery, holden at
D., which was called for the purpose of dismissi.ng our esteemed pastor,-the Rev. C. D.,
-who has felt it to be his duty to resign his
pastoral relation to this congregation, &c.
[This minute may be completed, according to the facts, by
adding-On account of protracted and serious indisposition;
-or, in order that he may enter upon another sphere of service, 
SUPP'LY OF A PULPIT.
&c.;-or, in order that he may become the pastor of the church
in -.  Then let the record proceed:-]
Whereupon  the  following  minute  was
adopted, namely:  The pulpit of this church having been made
vacant by the dismission of our pastor, it has
become the duty of the Session to provide for
the regular maintenance of the ordinances of
public worship, until God, in his great mercy,
shall send to us another pastor, in whom
the people of this congregation may become
united.
[The same resolutions should then follow as in the preceding
formula.]
[At the first meeting of the Session holden after the resignation or death of the pastor, it should, without fail, elect a
Stated Clerk, unless it already has such an officer. The following is a suitable record to be made of his election; and it
should immediately succeed the resolutions respecting the
supply of the pulpit:-]
Mfr. E. F. was then elected to the office of
Stated Clerk of this Session.
After whlich,
The Session adjourned.
Concluded with prayer.
E. F., Stated Clerk.
2'*{?
17 
18      THE PRESBYTERIAN MIANUAL.
[It is provided in the "Form of Governmrnent." chap. xv,
sec. i., that when "the people appear prepared to elect a pastor,
the Session shall take measures to convene them for the purpose." In pursuance of this direction, the following record
should be made:-]
The following minute was adopted:  The Session, having reason to believe that
the people of this congregation are prepared
vith a good degree of unanimity to elect
a pastor, adopted the following resolutions,
namely:  Resolved, That a meeting of the congrega.tion, for the election of a pastor, be holden in
the church on  VWednesday, the      inst.; and
that the notice of this meeting be given from
the pulpit on the next Sabbath, iii accordaince
with the "Form of Government," chap. xv.
sec. iii.
Resolved, That the Stated Clerk be directed
to invite the Rev. R. A. to attend the meeting
of the congregation, and to preside in the proposed election of a pastor.
[When a pastor shall have been elected by the congregation,
and the candidate shall have intimated his willingness to accept
the "call," if a regular or an ad(journeld meeting of the Presbytery is near at hand, no further action by the Session will be
necessary, as "cotmissiulers to p)rosecute the call" before the
R,Iinutts rtsUptting ttt (tritttiot  o a Basth~. 
CERTIFICATE OF DISMISSION.
Presbytery ought always to be appointed by the congregation.
But if it shall appear to be desirable that a special meeting of
the Presbytery should be holden to install the pastor, the Session should take order, as embodied in the following minute,
which may be passed at an "informal meeting," and entered
upon the records as directed in the formula under that head:-]
Messrs. F. and IH. were appointed a committee to take the necessary measures for convening a special meeting of the Presbytery
for the installation of our pastor elect; and
also to make arrangements for the entertainment of the members of Presbytery when they
shall be assembled here.
[At the first meeting of the Session holden after the installation of the pastor, the elder who represented the church in the
Presbytery should make his report, which may be entered upon
the record thus:-]
ir. D. reported that he  had attended  the
adjourned [or special] meeting of the Presbytery, which was holden in this place on Wednesday,  the          day  of          inst., [or ult.,]
for the purpose of installing the Rev. A. B. as
the pastor of this congregation.
' cttifttt  of              ismissiol.
E, January 1, 186-.
This is to certify that R. C. is a member
in good standing of the First Presbyterian
19 
20      TIlE PRESBYTERIAN MANUAL.
Church of A, and  that  he  is hereby
dismissed at his own  request, and affectionately recommended to the fellowship of the
Presbyterian  church  in N, Pa.,  or of
any other church in our communion, with
which God, in his providence, may order his
lot, and when so received his responsibility to
this church will cease.
By order of Session.
A. B., Moderator.
This certificate is valid only for one year
from its date, " except where there is no opportunity of presenting it to a church." See
Book of Discipline, chap. xi. sec. ii.
[When the person dismissed is a ruling elder, the following
paragraph may be added to the above certificate:-]
It is proper to add that Mr. C. has, for the
space of     years, sustained the office of ruling
elder, to the edification of the church, and
enjoyed the fraternal confidence and affection
of his brethren in the eldership.
[When the person dismissed is a deacon, the same paragraph
may be added to the certificate, only substituting the title
" deacon" for that of "ruilfig elder," and for the words "of his
brethren in the Session" the words "of its officers."]
[When the person dismissed has "neglected, for a reasonable
time, to apply for" a certificate, the Book of Discipline directs
(chap. xi. sees. iii. and iv.) that the certificate shall not endorse 
LETTER OF CREDENCE.
"his demeanor" during the interval, "unless the judicatory have
good information of a more recent date."   In ordinary cases
here contemplated, it will be sufficient to add to the first clause
of the foregoing certificate, after the word "standing,"]
Up to the time of his removal from our
bounds.
" Wetter of rfrtntat.
E-, January 1, 18-.
This is to certify that H. N. is a member of
the [First] Presbyterian Church in this [villag,e], in good and regular standing.
As lie contemplates spending some [weeks]
in journeying, this Letter of Credence is given
to him, that it may introduce him to the people
of God, and facilitate his occasional communiion with any church of our Lord and Saviour
Jesus Christ among whom he may for the
time be sojourning.
By order of the Session.
A. B., Moderator.
[In such a letter, if the person to whom it is given is an
officer in the church, the title of his office-as ruling elder, or
deacon-should be substituted in the first line for the word
?)7ie lher.
A Letter of Credence may, in many cases, be appropriately
given by the pastor, without the action of the Session. Its
general introduction is earnestly recommended, as adapted to
promote the comfort of those who carry it, and to be, in many
ways, of grcat utility.
21 
22      THE PRESBYTERIAN MANUAL.
,Such a letter may also be given to a member of the church
who is about to remove from its bounds, but who may not' be
able to designate, at the time, the church to which he will desire
to be recommended. In such a case, the second paragraph
should commence:-]
As he is about to remove [or, has removed]
from our bounds, but has not yet been able to
determine with what particular church to
connect himself, this Letter of Credence, &c.
[In the case of a member removing his residence beyond the
bounds of the church, as contemplated in the preceding formula,
the following paragraph should be added to the letter, namely:-]
It is understood that, when he shall have
located himself, he will, without delay, apply
for a certificate of dismission from this church,
that he may place himself regularly under the
care of some evangelical church of Christ
which may be convenient to his new residence.
[After the sermon is ended, let the elders, the deacons, and
the trustees arrange themselves in front of the pulpit, while the
other heads of families rise in their places, or come forward, as
may be convenient, that they may be addressed by the minister
who is to offer the prayer of dedication. Then let the minister
say:-]
According to the notice publicly given, we
vZntbtatioit of a Noust of norstip. 
I)EI)('ATION OF A HOUSE OF WORSHIP. 23
have assembled to-day to dedicate this house
to the worship of the only living and true God,
-Jehovah, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.
Now, if it is your desire that we should proceed to this service, let the officers of the church,
and the trustees, together with all the members of the congregation, declare unto us, and
say:  Have you been moved to the erection of this
edifice by a sincere desire to establish [or, to
continue] among you the regular and solemn
worship of the Most HIigh God, for the spiritual
benefit of yourselves and your families, and of
this community?
Answer.  We have.
Is it your sincere desire, and your solemn
purpose, that this edifice shall be a house of
worship, separated from secular uses, and devoted sacredly to the ordinances of religion,
according to the customs and order of the
Presbyterian Church in these United States?
Answer. It is.
Do you now, with one heart, give up this
house to God, the Father, the Son, and the
Holy Ghost, to be henceforth a house of prayer,
a temple to his praise; and do you promise to
provide for and to maintain here religious
worship, seeing to it that nothing shall be
wanting that may be needful for the decency, 
24      TIIE PRESBYTERIAN MANUAL.
and propriety, and convenience thereof; according to the customs and order, as aforesaid, of
the Presbyterian Church?
Answer.  We do.
Blessed be the Lord God, who hath put it
into your hearts to build this house unto his
name. The Lord accept the labor of your
hands, which you have offered unto him this
day, and make good to you, and to your
children after you, the word which he hath
spoken:- "In all places where I record my
name I will come unto thee, and I will bless
thee!"
Let us pray.
[This order of dedication may be introduced at any part of
the exercises, as may be deemed expedient; although the Imost
tiatiral place for the dedication is that already indicated,"after the sermon."]
form for t~t viuutts Df a vrtsvttrg.
STATED MEETING.
The Presbytery of HI. met in the Presbyterian church in C. on Tuesday, April 17,18-,
at three o'clock, P.M., and was opened with a
sermon by the Moderator, the Rev. A. B., from 
M.IN1ITES OF A PRESBYTERY.
1  ('or. iii. 11:-" For other foundation can no
lan  lay than  that is laid, which is Jesus
Christ."
After the sermon, the Moderator offered
pr,ayer, and the Presbytery proceeded to the
transaction of business.
The roll wvas made out, and is as follows:-*
CHURCHES.
Ml —,'ISTERS.
J. D.
R. A.
A.B.
C. E.
B.J.
N. L.
B.D.
WL.K.
The following ministers were absent, namely:
-the Rev. Messrs. O. R., D. P., and R. F.
The following churches wvere unrepresented,
namely:-D., A., J., and M.
The Rev. B. J. was elected Moderator, and
:*- In malking out the roll, the names of the ministers should
always follow each other according to their seniority of ordination   The name of each church should be placed on the
same line with that of its pastor or stated supply.  The name
of a minister without charge, or of one whose church is not
represented, should not have that of a church on the same line;
and a vacant church, or one whose pastor is absent, should occupy a line by itself,-as in the text.
3
25
ELDERS.
C.
E.
J. M.
E. F.
B.
R.
W 
2(;   TI-IE PRESIIYTER[AN  MIANIUAI,.
the Rev. ilIessrs. R. A. and C. E. were elected
Clerks.
The minutes of the last stated meeting, and
also of the adjourned and special meetings,
were read.
The members who had been absent firom
either of these meetings, and also the Sessions
which had been unrepresented, were called
upon for their excuses:-and
The excuses, having been rendered, were sustained.
The Rev. MIessrs. D. O., of the Presbytery
of IL., R. K., of the Association of B., Mass.,
and W. R. N., of the Presbytery of T., being
present, were invited to sit as corresponding
members.
The docket of business was then presented,
and read by the Stated Clerk.
The Treasurer presented his annual report,
which, having  been  read, was  referred to
3Iessrs. IL. and F., elders, for examination.
The MIoderator gave notice that the Presbytery was ready to receive such letters and
papers, designed to be brought before it for
consideration, as may be in the hands of persons present.*
" The "Committee of Bills and Overtures" is deemed by
some not unskilful in ecclesiastical matters to be unnecessary
in a body whose members are so few as in many of our smaller 
MINUTES OF A I'RESBYTERY.
The Rev. D. 0. presented a certificate of disnuission and recommendation from the Presbyteiy of L., and requested that he may be receiv-ed as a member of this Presbytery.
The certificate, having been read, was found
to be ill order, and the Rev. Mr. O. was received. according to his request.
A paper was presented purporting to be a
call firom the congregation in W. for the pastoral services of the Rev. I). 0.; and
Messrs. L. K., N. Al., and H. S. appeared
before the Presbytery as commissioners on the
Presbyteries; and in its place this "call for papers" has been
adopted.
According to this mode, business is introduced on the "call
for papers," and may be Lither considered at once and decided, or placed upon the docket for future consideration, or
referred to a special committee, on whose report the Presbytery
proceeds to issue the matter.
When any of the "papers" presented are found to pertain to
judicial business, a "judicial committee" should always be
appointed, to which such papers should be referred at once,
without  reading, so that the "merits of a case" may not
come prematurely before the body which may have to act judicially upon it.
The "call for papers" has been exhibited in the text, as a
mode that has proved satisfactory where it has been adopted.
Presbyteries which prefer making the appointment of the
Committee of Bills and Overtures and the Judicial Committee
as staidi'ig conis,ittees, are referred to the "Form for the Record
of a Syssod," in which the appointment anid operation of these
committees arc ftully gisen.
27 
8   TIE PRESBYTERIAN MIANUAL.
p)art of the congregation, appointed to prosecute the call.
The paper, having been read, was found to
be in order; and, by the direction of the Presbytery, it was presented to the Rev. Mr. O. for
his consideration.
The pastor elect then signified his acceptance
of the call; and,
At the request of the commissioners, it was
Resolved, That the Presbytery will proceed
to install the Rev. D. O., as pastor of the congregation in W., on the 2d day of May next,
agreeably to the desire of the congregation;
and
The Rev. Mlessrs. B. and 0., and Mr. K.,
elder, were appointed a committee to make
the necessary arrangements for the installation.
The Rev. R. K. presented a certificate of dismission and recommendation from the Association of B., Mass., and applied to be received as
a member of this Presbytery.
The certificate was read, and was found to
be in order.*
'- Upon the application of a minister of another denomination for admission to a Presbytery, it is the privilege of members of the Presbytery to satisfy themselves, by inquiry of the
applicant, as to his agreement with the doctrines held by the
body. 
MINUTES OF A PRESBYTERY.
The Moderator then proposed to the applicant the 2d, 3d, 4thl, and 6th questions prescribed in the "Form of Government," chap. xv.
see. xii.
Satisfaictory answers to these questions having
been received,
The application of the Rev. R. K. was granted,
and he was received [or enrolled] as a member
of this Presbytery.
A recess was then taken until seven o'clock.
At seven o'clock the Rev. J. D. preached, according to appointment, on the doctrine of the
Trinity, from 2 Cor. xiii. 14:-" The grace of the
Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the
eomnmutnionii of the Holy Ghost, be with you all.
Amen."'
After the services were concluded,
The Presbytery resumed the transaction of
business.
The Rev. R. F. and Mr. J. R., elder from the
church in M., appeared in the Presbytery, and
gave their reasons for late attendance, which
were sustained.
The MLoderator announced the following committees*
* At this point, at the stated spring meeting, the Moderator
should appoint a "Committee on the Minutes of the Synod,"
3 ~
29 
30      TTIlE PRESBYTERIAN MANUAL.
Oit the Records of the Sessionis:
in C.-The Rev. iMr. D)., and
Of the Ccierch
Mr. IL., elder.
Of  the Church
Mir. D., elder.
Of the Church
MIr. K., elder.
Of the Chutrich
M,lr. iNt., elder.
Of the Church
Mr. R., elder.
in E. -Thc Rev. Mr. A., and
in B.-The Rev. Mr. N., and
in R.-The Rev. Mr. K., and
in FV.-The Rev. Mr. E., and
Of the Church in M.-The Rev. Mr. O., and
M3r. F., elder.
It was made the order of the day for tomorrow morning, at ten o'clock, to hear the
Narratives of the State of Religion, and  the
Statistical Reports, of the several churches:and
The Rev. Messrs. F. and B., and Alr.D., elder,
were appointed the committee to prepare the
Narrative of the State of Religion within the
)boutnds of the Presbytery.
It was made the second order of the day for
to-morrowv morning, to elect coimmissioners to
if they have been printed; and, at the stated autumnal meeting, a " Committee on the Minutes of the General Assembly."
For the appropriate minutes respecting such committees, and
the action of the bodly on their reports, see the "Form for the
Records of a Syn'od," pages - --   and  
MINUTES OF A PRESBYTERY.
represent this Presbytery in the next General
Assembly.
The Committee on Presbyterial Missions reported. Their report was accepted; and it
was, unanimously,
Resolved, That the Presbytery renew its appointment of the Rev. B. B. as its missionary, to
labor, as heretofore, within the bounds of this
Presbytery, and at the same salary as the past
year;  and that the Committee on Presbyterial Missions consist of the same members as
before, with the substitution of Rev. Mr. O. for
Rev. J. T.
A communication was received from  the
General Assembly's Committee of Publication,
respecting the objects and plans'of the committee; and it was placed upon the docket for
future consideration.
A paper was presented, which purported to
be a complaint of certain parties in regard to
the action of the Session of one of the churches
under the care of this Presbytery.
The paper was referred to the Judicial Conmiiiittee, to be appointed by the Moderiator before
the adjournmenit of the Presbytery this evening.
A request wvas received from the Session of
the church  in R., that the Presblytery will
granIt to them  suipplies foir their pulpit fio  at
31 
32      THE PRESBYTERIAN MANUAL.
least one Sabbath in each month, until the next
stated meeting of the Presbytery.
The request was granted; and
The Rev. Messrs. E. and F., and Mr. D., the
elder representing that Session, were appointed
a committee to arrange the order in which the
members shall supply the pulpit of the church
in R.
The Moderator announced the Judicial Committee as follows, namely:
The Rev. Messrs. B. and D., and Mr. R.,
elder.
The Presbytery then adjourned, to meet tomorrow morning, at eight o'clock, in this place.
Concluded with prayer.
Wednesday, April 18, 18-.
The Presbytery met, pursuant to its adjournment, and was opened with prayer.
The roll was then called; and, in addition to
the members present yesterday, the Rev. D. P.,
and Messrs. B. W., elder from the church in A.,
and E. N., elder from the church in J., appeared in the Presbytery, and gave the reasons for their previous absence; which were
sustained.
The minutes of the proceedings of yesterday
were read and approved.
The examination of candidates for liccusurc 
MINUTrES OF' A PRESBYTERY.
to preach the gospel was made the order of the
day for two o'clock this afternoon.
3Ir. K., elder, and the Rev. MIr. P., were appointed a committee to nominate a preacher,
and to propose a subject for the discourse to be
delivered on the Tuesday evening of the stated
autumnal meeting of the Presbytery.
The committee to audit the Treasurer's
accounts presented the following report,
namliely:  Tile committee to which the Treasurer's
accounts were referred for examination begs
leave respectfully to report, that, having carefully examined the said accounts, it finds them
to be correct, as compared with the vouchers
accompanying them. To this report the committee, having been advised by the Treasurer
that the balance in his hands is not sufficient
to meet the incidental expenses of the Presbytery, would add the recommendation, that a
tax of one dollar should be collected from each
of the churches.
The report was accepted, and the recommendation of the. committee wias adopted.
ilr. W., elder, was appointed a committee to
collect the amount specified from the elders
present.
5It. N., elder, stated to the Presbytery that
thle colgr(igration in J. has called the Rev. T.
33 
34      THE PRESB3YTERIAN MANUAL.
S., of the Presbytery of U., to become its
pastor, and that he and Mr. Z. H., who is also
present, have been appointed commissioners to
prosecute the call.
The commissioners then placed the call in
the hands of the Moderator, and requested
leave to prosecute it before the Presbytery
of U.
The call was found to be in order; and
Leave was granted to the commissioners to
prosecute it before the Presbytery of U.
Mr. N. had leave of absence from the remaining sessions of the Presbytery.
The next stated meeting of the Presbytery
was appointed to be holden in the Presbyterian church in A., on the fourth Tuesday in
September next, at three o'clock, P.M.
The committee appointed to make arrangements for the installation of the Rev. D. O. as
the pastor of the congregation in W., reported,
recommending that the sermon be preached
by the Rev. C. E.; that the Moderator preside,
and "constitute the pastoral relation;" that
the Rev. J. D. deliver the charge to the pastor,
[or bishop,] and the Rev. A. B. the charge to
the people; and that the concluding prayer be
offered by the Rev. D. P.
The committee further recommends that, at
the close of the present sessions, the Presby 
MNIINUTES OF A PRESBYTERY.
tery shlould adjourn, to meet in the Presbyterian church in W., on the 2d day of May
next, at ten o'clock, A.M.*
The report of the committee was adopted.
The Presbytery then proceeded to the order
of the day.   The Statistical Reports of the
Churches were read, and the Narratives of the
State of Religion were given by the pastors
and elders of the several churches.
The second order of the day was then taken
up, and the Presbytery proceeded to the election of commissioners to represent the Presbytery in the next General Assembly.
The Rev. A. B., and Mr. J. R., elder, were
duly elected the commissioners; and the Rev.
s When the person to be installed is already an ordained
minister, and a member of the Presbytery with which the
church is connected, if there is no other business to call for an
adjourned meeting of the judicatory, it is usual to appoint the
members, to whom the several parts of the service are assigned,
a committee to perform the installation, in the name and on
behalf of the Presbytery.  This course is allowed in the "Form
of Government," chap. xvi. sec. iv. Such a committee is often
called a commiss8ionI, because it is enipowered to act, in the business assigned to it, it the place of the judicatory, and its report
is made to inform the body that the business is constnieated;
whereas the report of a committee presents business arranged in
proper order for the consideration and action of the judicatory.
This distinction is presented here, because it is regarded by
many as at once convenient and important.
35 
'II  PRE'SBYTERIlAN  AIANUAL.
DI). P., (and 3fr. N. IL., elder, were elected tleir
alternates.
The roll of the churches uinder the care of
the  Presbytery  was  then  called, and the
amounts collected in the several  congregations for the Commissioners' and Contingent
Funds of the General Assembly were paid to
the Treasurer.
The total amounts received were, $      for
the Commissioners' Fund, and $        for the
Contingent Fund:-and
The Treasurer was directed to forward the
same to the Treasurer of the General Assembly.
The communication from the General Assembly's Committee of Publication, which had
been put upon the docket, was taken up for
consideration.
The communication was read, and
The following resolutions were unanimously
adopted:  Resolved, 1. That the Presbytery has heard
with satisfaction the resolutions of the General
Assembly with regard to the means for the
promotion of the work intrusted to its Publication Committee.
Resolved, 2. That the session of each of the
churches under our care be earnestly exhorted 
MIINUTES OF A PRESBYTERY.
to takle measures to carry out the recommendations of the Assembly.
Resolved, 3. That MIessrs. D. B. and E. be a
committee to ascertain the best mode of securing the circulation of the Committee's publications wNithlin our bounds, and that they
report at the next stated meeting of Presbytery.
M1essrs. D. and W., elders, had leave of absence from the remaining sessions of the Presbytery.
A recess was then taken until half-past one
o'clock.
After the recess,
The committee to collect the tax for the
incidental expenses of the Presbytery reported
that he had received one dollar from each of
the elders present: the total sum received
being eight dollars.
The Treasurer was directed to obtain the
tax firom the church in D., which hlas not been
represented in the present Sessions of the
Presbytery.
The committees on the Records of the Sessions of C., E., R., W., and M., severally reported, recommending that they be approved,
as far as written.
The reports were adopted.
The Rev. D. P. assigned the reasons why the
37 
TIl  I'IPES]l'YTER[tAN MANUAL.
re(ords of' lie Session of the church in A. ]iad
not been laid before the Presbytery during the
present niieetilln
The reasons were sustained.
The coiiimittee on the Records of the Session  of B. reported, recommending that they
l)Ce approved as fir as written, with the following exceptions, namely:  1. That the records are not signed, either by
the Moderator or by the Clerk.
2. On pages 75 and 77, the Session appears
to have adjourned, in both instances, without
conclllding their meeting wvithi prayer.
3. On pag,es 79-81, in'recording  the proceedings in a case of judicial process, the
reasons for the decisions" made are not "recorded at length," as required by the "Book
of Discipline," chapter iv. section xxiii.
The report was adopted.
The order of the day was postponed for the
purpose of receiving a report from the Judicial
Committee.
The report was in the words  following,
namely:  The paper which was referred to the Judicial
Committee purports to be a complaint against
the Session of one of the churches under the
care of the Presbytery, because of its refusing
to commence a case of judicial process against 
MINUTLES  (}F AP lR'ESBYTERY.
an individual specified, on thle ground of conimon faitme.
The coimmittee, having carefully considered
the  statements  set forth in the paper, is
clearly  of  the  opinion  that  there  is no
ground of complaint agrainst the Session, because, by the showing of the complainants
thenmselves, the offence, if any, was strictly
of a private nature, according to the "Book
of Discipline," chapter ii.  This will be evi(lenit on the reading of a brief extract firom
tlhe paperl.
Tlhe committee presents this extract only,
sillce the reading of the whole paper would
tend to give unnecessary publicity to the mattcers involved, and of the truth of which there
is no evidence properly within the reach of the
Presbytery.
In conclusion, the commlittee recommends
the adoption of the following resolution:
Resolved, That the said paper, purporting to
be a complaint, be dismissed for the reason
stated in the forecoing report.
The extract referred to by the committee
was then read; and
The report was unanimously adopted.
The Priesby-tery- then proceeded to the order
oft' the day, namely:-thelo examination of can(li(ldates for licellsure.
39 
40       TIlE PRES1BYTE[IAN MIANUAL.
The Rev. A. B. introduced to the Presbytery
Air. J. G., a member of the church in E., old
recommended him as a suitable person to be
"taken on trials" as a "candidate for licen
Tile Presbytery proceeded to examine iMr.
G.' respecting his experimental acquaintance
with religion, and the motives which influence
him to desire the sacred office."
The examination having, proved satisfactory
to the Presbytery, it was sustained, and
Mr. G. was "taken on trials" as a "candidate for licensure."
The Rev. MIessrs. B. and P. were appointed
a committee to recommend the subjects to be
assigned to MIr. G. for his trial-pieces.
Air. T. Y., a candidate under the care of the
Presbytery, then made application for licensure
at the present meeting.
Mr. Y. having completed the usual course of
study in preparation for the ministry, and his
examination in several departments of learnirg  required  by  the  "Form  of  Governiment," as well as the trial-pieces which he
has presented, having at a former meeting of
the Presbytery been sustained as "parts of
trial,"
The Presbytery proceeded to examine himl
"on Theology, Natttral ald Revealed, anid on 
MIINUTES OF A PRESBYTERY.
Ecclesiastical History, thle Sacra1ments, a.1d
Chlurlch Governiment."*
The examinaationi in each of thcse depart ments having been sustained,
Mr. Y. wvas directed to come this evenling,
prepared to read his "popular sermon."
-Messrs. S. H. and J. T. appeared  in the
Presbytery as conimmissioners from the congregation of P., iii the Presbytery of D., deputed
to prosecute a call to the Rev. R. F. to beconie their pastor.
The coiimmissioners "produLced a certificate
from1 their ownv Presbytery, regularly attested
by the 3Ioderator and Clerk, that the call has
been laid before them, and that it is in order,"
and requested leave to prosecute the same.
It having appeared that "the parties" are
"not prepared to have the matter issued" at
the present Sessions of the Presbytery, it was
Orderedl, That the Stated Clerk address a
written citation to the Rev. R. F. "and his
congregcation to appear before tlhe Presbytery"
a.t the a(ijourned imeeting; and the Rev. C. E.
wias appointed to preachtel at M. o01 the next
,Satl)bathl, and to read the citation " fiom the
' Thle appoiintment, yearly, of examiners  upon etach  del)trtmient wvill greatly promote order, comfort, aind thoroughness
iin the examination of canldidlates.
4:
41 
42      THE PRESBYTERIAN MANUAL.
pulpit in that church," "immediately after
public wNorship."*
The committee to which was referred the
matter of arranging the order of supply for
the pulpit of the church in R. reported the
[F:' If the call from a congregation in another Presbytery
shall be addressed to a minister "without charge," the minute
should be as in the text, through the second paragraph, and
then proceed:-]
By the direction of the Presbytery, the call was placed in the
hands of Mr. D. for consideration; and,
He having signified his disposition to accept it,
The following resolution was adopted, namely:  Resolved, That the Rev. J. D., having accepted the call from
the congregation of P., be, and he hereby is, dismissed from
this Presbytery, and recommended to the Presbytery of D.;
and he is hereby required "to repair to that Presbytery, that
the proper steps may be taken for his regular settlement in that
congregation."
[If such a call shall be addressed to a licecztiate, the words
"the Rev. R. F.," in the first paragraph of the minute of the
text, should be replaced by the words "the licentiate D. R."
Then, after the second paragraph, if the licentiate is present,
proceed:-]
The Presbytery directed that the call should be placed in the
hands of Mr. R. for his determination thereon; and,
He having signified his disposition to accept it,
The following resolution was adopted, namely:  Resolved, That the licentiate D. R., having accepted the
call from  the congre,gation in P., be, atnd he hereby is, d(lismissed from the jurisdiction of this Presbytery, and recommended to that of the Presbytery of D.. and he is hereby 
MIINUTES OF A PRESBYTERY.
followingv schedule, wthich wvas adoptedt, inamely: —
SUPPLIES FOR TIlE PULPIT AT R
The Rev. Mtr. D. to preach and administer
the Lord's SuLpper in 3[ay; the Sabbath to be
trranged by hill after conference with the
Session;
The Rev. 31r. F. to preach on the third
Sab1)ath in June;
The Rev. Sir. B. to preach on the first Sabbatli in Jtly;
The Rev. MIr. O. to preach on the third
Sa.bbath in July;
The Rev. M1r. J. to preach and administer
the Lord's Supper on the second Sabbath in
August;
The Rev. M1r. A. to preach on the fourth
Sabbath in August; and
required "to repair to that Presbytery, and there to submit
himself to the usual trials preparatory to ordination."
[If the person to whom the call is addressed, whether a
minister without charge, or a licentiate, should not be present
in the Presbytery, it will be necessary that he should be cited
to attend the adjourned meeting;  and the record, after the
second paragraph in the text, should be:-]
The Rev. J. D. [or Mr. D. R.] not being present to answer
the call,
The Stated Clerk was directed to cite him to appear before
the Presbytery at the adjourned meeting.
43 
44-        TIIE PRtESBYTERIAN  MIANUAL.
The  rev.  Ir. P. to preachl on the second
Sabbatll in September.
The Aloderator stated that only a very few
itemis of business remained upon the docket,
and suggested that, in the session of the Presbytery this evening, it would be peculiarly
appropriate, both to the close of the sessions
and to the nature of the matters yet to be
attended to, if the transaction of the business should be alternated with devotional exercises.
The suggestion was cordially and unanimously adopted.
A recess was then taken until seven o'clock.
After the recess,
The  committee  appointed to nominate  a
preaclher and to propose a subject for the discourse to be delivered on the Tuesday evenin,  of the next  stated  meeting, reported,
recommiending that the Rev. C. E. be appointed the preacher, and that the Rev. D. P.
bc his alternate.   The committee also pro)osed the following subject for the discourse,
ii-talely:-"The Priesthood of the Lord Jesus
Christ."
The recommendations in this report were
adopted.
The  commiittee  -whichl  was  appointed to
prol)ose the su!)jeets for the trial-pieces of the 
MIINT:TES OF A. PRESBYTERY.
(vtIdi(ate J. G., made a report, recommending
thle tollovwing subjects, namely:
1. For a Latit Exegesis:-)-De Sctiictficatioite.
2. For a  Critical Exeircise:-Romans  viii.
19-23.
3. Fo; a Lccttire:-Galatians v. 22-25.
4. For (- Poputlar Sermon:-iHebrews v. 9.
The report wNas adopted.
The  committee  which  was  appointed to
prepare the Narrative of the State of Religion
within the botunds of the Presbytery presented
a report, which was adopted; and
The Stated Clerk was directed to transmit
it, together w-ith the Statistical Report of tho
Presbytery, to the next General Assembly.
The following is the
NARRATIVE.
[The Narrative may here be engrossed as a part of the
minutes, or be put upon file, at the discretion of the Presbytery.]
MIr. Y., the candidate under examination,
read his Popular Sermon, and it wvas sustained
as a "part of trial."
The final vote w-as then taken, and it wvas
Resolved(, That the Presbytery, having been
wvell satisfied w-ith the several "parts of trial"
of the candidate T. Y., wvill nowv proceed to
license him to preachl the gospel " as a probatiolner tfor the ll iy inilistry."
45 
46-      TLIIE PiRESBYTERIAN MANUAL.
The candidate was then  licensed in  the
manner and formi prescribed in the "Formin of
Governmenit," chapter xiv. sections vii. and
viii.; and
The  Stated Clerk was directed to furnish
the licentiate T. Y. wvith the usual certificate
of his licensure.
The transaction of business this evening was
alternated vwith devotional exercises, under the
direction of the 3Ioderator, according to the
previous agreement.
The minutes of the proceedings of to-day
were read antd approved.
After which,
The Presbytery adjourned, to meet in the
Presbyterian church in W., on the 2d day of
3May next, at ten o'clock, A.M.
Concluded with prayer, singing the Doxology, and the benediction.
A. B., Stated Clerk.
*jollttl, tttiiig of ttt vrtsbter.
The Presbytery met, pursuant to adjournment, in the Presbyterian church in W., on
ATednesday, 3lay 2d, 18-, at ten o'clock, A.MI.,
aiid wvas opened wvitlh )raycr by the ioderatoi,
thie 11ev. B. J. 
A.l) J.tl'INEFl) MfEfETIN(TG OF  PRESBYTERY.    47
T"le following vmembers were present, name- 
1)_:
[The names are here to be inserted, as in the minutes of the
state(l meeting. The names of the absent members, also, and
of the churehes which are not represented, are to be recorded
as at a stated meeting.]
So much of the minutes of the stated meeting as pertains to the several items of business
w-hich were laid over for the action of the
Presbytery at this adjourned meeting  was
then read for the information of the judicatolry.
After which,
The call of the congregation of P. to tlhe
Rev. R. F. to become its pastor, was taken
up for consideration.
The Stated Clerk reported, that, according'
to tihe order adopted at the stated meeting, ihe
bad cited the Rev. R. F. "and his congregation
to attend the present meeting," for the puLrpose
of hltving the miatter issued respecting his
translation to the congregation of P., in the
Presbytery of D.*
The Rev. C. E. reported that he had preached
a The " Form of Government," chap.  xvi. sec. ii., directs
that "at least two Sabbaths shall intervene betwixt the citation
and the meeting of the Presbytery at which the cause of the
translation is to be considered."
MIINISTER S.
CHURCHES.
ELDERS. 
TIlE PRESI'YTEIRIAN MIANUAL,.
it A., accordino to the direction of the Presbytery, and had "read the citation from the
)ulpit in that clhurch immnediately after public
worship."
5[essrs. J. R. and I. B. appeared before the
Presbytery as commissioners appointed by tihe
congregationl of -I. to represent it in the matter
of the proposed translation of its pastor.
The commissioners from the congregation of
P. were also present.
By the direction of the Presbytery, the call
firom P. was placed in the hands of Mlr. F. for
his reply; and,
He having signified his disposition to accept
it,
The commissioners from the congregration
of -A. were called upon to state whether that
congregation'"agrees to the translation" of the
Rev. R. F. to the congregation of P.
Whereupon,
The commissioners flrom l. proceeded to
state at length certain objections which that
congregation had directed them to present for
the consideration of the Presbytery.
The commissioners from the congregation of
P. were also heard in the presentation of arguments in favor of the translation.
When they had concluded,
The hour for the public services of the 
ADJ.OURNED MIEETING OF PRESBYTERY.  49
installation of the  Rev. D. O. hleaving  arrived,
The further consideration of the call to
31r. F. w-as postponed until after the installation.
Thei Presbytery then proceeded to the installation of the Rev. D). O. as pastor of the congregation of W., and
The services were conducted according to
the arrangement which was adopted at the
stated meeting.
After the services,
The Presbytery resumed the transaction of
business.
The call from the congregation of P. to the
Rev. R. F. was then again taken up.
When all the parties had been fully heard,
The Presbytery, after careful deliberation,
Adopted the following resolutions, namely:  Resolved, 1. That the pastoral relation heretofore existing between the Rev. R. F. and the
congregationl of M. be, and the same hereby
is, dissolved, with a view to his accepting the
call from the congregation of P.
ilesolved, 2. That the Rev. R. F., having
accepted the call from the congregation of P.,
be, and he hereby is, dismissed from this Presbytery, and recommended to the Presbytery
of D.; and he is hereby required " to repair to
5
I 
50      THE PRESBYTERIAN MANUAL,
that Presbytery, that the proper steps may be
taken for his regular settlement in that congregation."
The Rev. J. I). was then appointed to preach
at 3., and, in the name of the Presbytery, to
pronouLnce the pulpit vacant.
M[r. E. N., one of the commissioners to prosecute the call of the congregation in J. to the
Rev. T. S. before the Presbytery of U., informed
the Moderator that that Presbytery had placed
the call in the hands of Mr. S., and that, he
having signified his acceptance of the same,
the Presbytery had dismissed him, and had required him "' to repair to this Presbytery, that
the proper steps may be taken for his regular
settlement."
He then laid before the Presbytery "an
authenticated  certificate" of these  transactions, "under the hand of the Clerk" of the
Presbytery of U., which was read, and
MIr. S. was received as a member of this
Presbytery.
The commissioner from J. then informed the
Moderator that it is the desire of the congre,gation that the installation may take place on
, the      day of          next, at two
o'clockl, P.-I.
Whereupon, it was
Resolved. That when the Presbytery shall 
SPECIAL MIEETING OF PRESBYTERY.    51
adjourn, it wvill adjourn to meet in the Presbyterian church in J. on -, the  -  day of
next, at OnIC o'clock, P.)I,
The miinutes of the proceedings of this adjourned meeting wvere read and approved.
After wvhich,
The Presbytery adjourned, to meet in the
Presbyterian church in J. on, the    day
of      next, at one o'clock, P.A.
Concluded with prayer and the benediction.
A. B., Stated Clerk.
[The adjournment of an acjouiti-ed meeting should be in the
same form as that of a stated meeting, except that generally
the singing at the close may be omitted. If there is to be no
adjourned meeting before the time of the next stated meeting,
the adjournment, whether of a stated or of an adjourned meetinr.g, should always be to the place and time of the next stated
meeting.]
The  Presbytery met  in tho Presbyterian
church in B. on  Thursday,  February  15tlh,
18s-, at eleven o'clock, A.M., purisuant to the
c(all of the Alodeerator, the Rev. A. B., and was
ol)eple(nd -itli p)i'ayer.
The:tll of the Mtodelrator was thei read,
and is -,s tsl1,)wS:
"  -5,aa Stal,I    tting Df t~t vretabttry. 
52      THE PRESBYTERIAN MIANUAL.
CIRCULAR LETTER.
[Ilere insert the Moderator's letter in full.]
The following members were present, name
ly:
U-NmTERS.           CluRcnEs.            ELDERS.
[The names are to be inserted here, as in the minutes of the
stated meeting. The names of the members who are absent,
and of the churches which are not represented, are also to be
recorded.]
The Presbytery proceeded to the transaction
of the business for which it had been convened.
The Rev. C. M. requested leave to resign the
pastoral charge of the congregation in R., and
assigned the reasons which have induced him
to make this request.
Messrs. B. D. and G. R. appeared before the
Presbytery as commissioners from the congregation at R., and stated that a meeting of the
congregation had been holden, at which it had
been determined to offer no obstruction to the
granting of the request of the pastor, although
it would be greatly to the satisfaction of the
people to have him remain among them as
heretofore.
The reasons presented by Mr. M. for his
request were then deliberately considered; and
it was
Resolved(], That his request be granted, and
that the pastoral relation which has existed 
SPECIAL MEETING OF PRESBYTERY.
between him and the congregation at R. be,
and the same hereby is, dissolved from this
day.
The Rev. D. P. was appointed to preach at
R., and, in the name of the Presbytery, to
pronounce the pulpit vacant.
The Rev. C. M. then requested a dismnission
from this Presbytery, and a recommendation
to the Presbytery of N., into the bounds of
which he expects shortly to remove.
His request was granted.
SIr. J. N., a licentiate under the care of the
Presbytery of B., presented a certificate of
dismission and recommendation from that body,
and requested to be taken under the care of
this Presbytery.
The certificate having been found to be in
order,
His request was granted.
A joint application was then received from
the licentiate J. N., and the Session of the
church in J., requesting the Presbytery to
proceed to ordain him, the said licentiate, as
in  evangelist,  with  a view to his taking
charge of the congregation at J. as its stated
supply.
Sir. E. N., the elder representing the Session
of' J., made a statement of the situation and
piosl-ects of that congregation, and of the
5
53 
54      THE PRESBYTERIAN MANUAL.
reasons wNhich had induced the Session to join
in the presenlt application.
Whereupon,
After a protracted investigation of' all the
circumstances of the ease as the same are 11ow
before the judicatory,
It was unanimously Resolved,
1. That while the Presbytery is disposed to
grant, so far as it consistently can, every
request of the Session of the church in J., and
while it has great confidence in the wisdom
and prudence of the said Session, and also in
the character of 31Ir. N.,-so far as it hlas enjoyed the opportunity of becoming acquainted
with liim,-it is yet, by a careful examination
of the wthole matter, constrained to decide that
the way does not appear to be prepared to
proceed to the ordination of the said licentiate,
J. N., at this time.
2. That the further consideration of the
joint application be postponed until the stated
meeting.
T-le minutes of the proceedings of this special meeting were read and approved.
The Presbytery then adjourned.
Concluded  withi  prayer  and  the  beneli(ti on.
A. 1., Stated Clerk. 
SPECIAL MEETING OF PRESBYTERY.
NOTE.-Respecting the I)ismission of a Pastor.
In the minutes of the stated and adjourned
meetings the subject of the dismission of a
pastor has been treated in exact accordance
with the provisions of the "Form of Government."
In the minutes of the special meeting we
have introduced the matter in conformity with
what is now the more general custom. When
a minister has decided to leave his congregation for sonime other field of labor, it is customary for him to call a meeting of the congregation, and to request it to unite with him in
requesting the Presbytery to dissolve the pastoral relation. Of this meeting and its action
report is made by its commissioners to the
Presbytery, and that body then proceeds to
act upon the application without delay.
That this custom has its advantages, is not
denied; chief among which are:-1. The saving
of time to the Presbytery; which, according
to the method in the "Book," must hold an
adjourned meeting, having, it may  be, this
reqvtest as its only business; and, 2. Abbreviating, possibly, the period during which a
congregation may be held in suspense, if not
i n anxiety, on  the subject of its pastor's
resignation.
But it is a serious question, whether this
55 
56      THE PRESBYTERIAN MANUAL.
comnpenidious method may not have been produetive of evil quite as much as of good:rwhether, by reason of the facility with which
it disposes of the pastoral tie, it may not have
exerted a real and not inconsiderable influence
iii rendering the connection so unstable, that
in many sections of the Church the office of
pastor has fallen into disuse to an alarlming
degree.  Other causes have, indeed, existed;
causes which, in many instances, hlave been
more obvious.  Still, the inquiry is stubmitted,
whether many pastors have not been dismissed
because it was so easy to dissolve the relation,
who, had the mode prescribed in the " Book"
been the only one by which they could have
disengaged themselves, would have remliailned(
at the post of duty, and  lived down  til(
labored down the difficulties which for a seasmo
might have disturbed their peace.
ttppliatioii to t~et I_erator for t~e (falling of it
pti,iJt'',l tttiiig of t~t vrt~bt~trg.
To the Rev. A. B.,
JlIoderactor of the Presbytery of I.
REV. AND DEAR  SIR
In  a(.cord(1,ancc  witlh  the  provis-ionis of the
1Foill of ('oiVc~,IslnIt,"  clh). x. sec. x., you
are herebyv requestd( to call aL sl)ccial imeeting 
TIlE NiODERATOR'S CIRCULAR.
of the said Presbytery, to be holden in the
Presbyterian church in B., on Thursday, the
15th day of February next, at eleven o'clock,
A.Mr., for the purpose of considering, and-if the
way shall be prepared-of issuing, the following matters of business, namnely:  I. An application fromn the Rev. C. M. for
leave to resign the pastoral charge of the congregation in R., together with the action of the
said congregation thereupon.
II. The request of the Rev. Mr. M. for a dismission from this Presbytery, and a recommnendation to the Presbytery of N.
III. An application from Mir. J. N., a licentiate of the Presbytery of B., to be received
under the care of this Presbytery.
IV. The joint application of Mr. N. and the
session of the church in J., requesting the
Presbytery to ordain him as an evangelist,if the way shall be prepared,-with a view to
his taking charge of said church, as its stated
supply.
We are, Rev. and dear sir,
Very respectfully,
Your brethren and friends,
(Signed)   R. A.
D.P.
J. 1H., Elder of the Churcli in J.
WV. T., Elder of the Churchl in B.
January 29J, 18 —.
57 
58       THE PRESBYTERIAN MlANUAL.
e ~Teato's Hetter, f           alling a  5 pial 
TSfltttiig of tlXt vretagterg.
CIRCULAR LETTER.
B-, January 31, 18-.
Application having been made to me, in accordance with the provisions of the' Form of
Government," chap. x. sec. x., a special meeting of the Presbytery of HI. will be holden,
(I). V.,) in the Presbyterian church in B., on
Thursday, the 15th day of February next, at
eleven o'clock, A.Mt., for the purpose of considering, and-if the way shall be preparedof issuing, the following matters of business,
namely:
[Here specify distinctly every item of the business which is
to be presented for the action of the Presbytery, as in the foregoing application to the Moderator.]
A. B., Moderator.
[Annexed to the circular should be the following invita.
tions:
To a Pastor, or a Stated Supply.]
To the Rev. R. A.
REV. AND DEAR BROTHER:  You are hereby notified of the special meeting of the Presbytery of Il.,-as above called,
-and requecsted to:tteild the samine, accom
(Signed) 
ORGANIZATION OF A ClItURCH.
panied by the representative of the Session of
the church in C.
Yours, fiaternally,
A. B.,:ilodcrator.
B, January 31, 18-.
[To the Session of a Vacant Church.]
To the Session of the Church in J.
DEAR BRETHREN:
You are hereby notified of the special meeting of the Presbytery of H.,-as above called,
-and requested to attend the same, by your
representative.
Yours, fraternally,
A. B., lfIoderator.
B —, January 31, 18-.
0rgani ati l of a!turt1.
[When a number of individuals, with their families, desira
to be formed into a church, after full consultation and agree
ment among themselves, they should send a delegation, of two
or more of their number, to apply to the Presbytery, within
whose bounds they reside, for direction and counsel in effecting
their organization. Of this application of the delegates, and
of the action of the Presbytery thereupon, the following record
may be made in the minutes:-]
Messrs. B. A. and J. C. appeared before the
Presbytery as a delegation from a number of
59 
60      THE PRESBYTERIAN MIANUAL.
individuals residing in 0.,  who desire to be
organized, with their families, into a Presbyterian church in connection with this Presbytery, and requested that all the measures
necessary to effect this object may be taken
by the Presbytery without unnecessary delay.
The delegates were then heard in an extended statement respecting the number and
circumstances of the applicants, and the prospective support and increase of a Presbyterian
church in 0. and its vicinity.
After a free conversation with the delegatcs,-and
In view of all the information that was
elicited,  The Presbytery appointed a commission,
consisting of the Rev. MIessrs. A. B. and C. D.,
and MZr. E. F., elder, to meet at 0., on Tuesday, the      day of       next, at two o'clock,
P.MI., to confer with the applicants, and with
others interested, and to make all necessary investigations, and-if the way shall be prepared-to proceed to the organization of a
Presbyterian church, according to the request
to that effect which has been presented by the
delegation.
The  delegates from 0. were requested to
make all the arrangements for the meeting of
the commission which may be necessary; and, 
ORG(ANIZATION OF A CIIIJRCH.
)articularly, to represent to the applicants the
g,leat importance of obtaining immediately,
froni the churches with whilch they are severally connected, certificates of dismission, recommending them to the Presbyterian church
about to be organized.
[At the time appointed, the commission should seek all the
information necessary to a judicious decision of the question
intrusted to it. If the way shall seem to be prepared for organizing a church at that time, the commission should proceed
to receive the certificates of the applicants, and to examine
such as may desire to make, on this occasion, their public profession of religion.
The names of all whose certificates, or examination, are
approved, having been enrolled, a private meeting should be
holden in some suitable place, at which the commission may
confer freely with. the applicants, giving them such advice
as their circumstances may seem to require; proposing to
them a form of a confession of faith and covenant for the
adoption and use of the church to be organized; and making
all necessary arrangements for the public services of the
organization of the church. At this private meeting the ruling
elders and deacons should be informally chosen, so that there
may be no delay at the public services. It should also be arranged that all the persons to be received into the new church
shall be seated together at the organization service.
When the time for the public services shall have arrived, it
is proper that one of the members of the commission should
preach a sermon adapted to the occasion. After which, the
chairman should state to the audience the several steps which
have been taken, and the nature of the duty about to be performed. He should then read from the register the names of
the persons who are to be organized into a church, mentioning
the church by which each one has been recommended, and
6
61 
62      THE PRESBYTFERIAN MANUAL.
indicating those who are to be received on the profession of
their faith. Then, calling upon the whole company to arise, he
should read to them the Confession of Faith, requiring from
each individual some distinct token of ad(option,-either by
the voice, or by raising the hand, or by anll inclination of the
head. If any of the new professors are to be baptized, that
sacrament should now be administered.   The chairman should
then read the covenant, and, all having given their assent
thereto, as before to the Confession, he should solemnly address himself to the company, in the following, or like words,his colleagues now standing by his side:-]
Having received from you this confession of
your faith, and your public assent to this covenant, we, constituting the commission of the
Presbytery of H., and for this purpose representing it here, do, in the name and on behalf
of the said Presbytery, and in the name and
by the authority of the Lord Jesus Christ, the
ever-living Head of the Church on earth and
in heaven, pronounce and declare that you are
this day regularly organized and established
as the First Presbyterian Church in 0., in accordance with the order of the Presbyterian
Church in these United States:-and may the
blessing of Almighty God, the Father, the Son,
and the Holy Ghost, descend upon and abide
with you and your children from this day forth,
to establish and strengthen you, to comfort and
guide you, and to conduct you at last to the
General Assembly and Cihurch of the First 
ORGANIZATION OF A CHURCH.
born, in his own glorious temple in heaven!
Almen.
[The members of the new church being again seated, the
chairman should say,-]
The following persons, having been informially chosen to the offices of ruling elder and
deacon in this church, are now to be  considered as properly nominated for election by
the church, if so it shall please. Listen to
their names:-M3essrs. B. A., D. C., and F. E.,
for the office of ruling elder; and Messrs. H. G.
and J. I., for the office of deacon.
If it is now your free will and desire that
these brethren, being, according to the rule of
our Church, "all male members in full communion" in the First Presbyterian Church in
0., shall be elected to the offices in this church
to which they have been nominated, you will
please to "hold up the right hand in testimony
of assent."
[After having received the affirmative vote, the chairman
should proceed to say,-]
On the other hand, if there are any who dissent from this election, let such indicate it by
the same sign.
[The vote having been declared, let the elders elect be called
forth before the assembly, and let the questions prescribed in
63 
64      THE PRESBYTERIAN MANUAL.
the "Form of Government," chap. xiii. sec. iv., be put to them
and to the church. In the same manner let the deacons elect
be called forth,-the elders still continuing to stand,-and, the
appointed questions hLaving been put and answered affirmatively, let the new officers be solemnly set apart to their respective offices by prayer and the laying on of hands.
If either of the elders or deacons has formerly been ordained to the office to which he is now elected in the new
church, only the fourth and fifth of the prescribed questions
should be proposed to him, inasmuch as to him the service is
not ordination, but only installation into that particular
charge.
The church having now been organized, and its officers ordained and installed, an affectionate charge and exhortation
should be addressed to it by one of the members of the commission; after which, let it, with all its interests, be solemnly
commended to God in prayer.
It will be very appropriate, if time and other circumstances
will permit, for the commission, after a recess, if required on
account of the length of the preceding services, to administer
to the new church the sacrament of the Lord's Supper. But
if this may not be done by the commission, the elders should
make arrangements for the celebration of that sacrament on
the earliest Sabbath on which they can secure the presence of
one of the ministers of the Presbytery.
At the next meeting of the Presbytery the commission
should present a report of its doings, of which, unless it shall
be deemed important to prepare a more extended report, the
following notice may be taken in the minutes:-]
The commission which was appointed at the
last stated mneeting, to organize a church in
our connection at 0., if the way should be prepared, reported that it had performed the duty
assigned to it; that the noew church had been 
ORGANIZATION OF A CHURCH.
organized with        members, of whom
were  received  on  certificates  from  other
churches, and       on the profession of their
faith; and that three ruling elders and two
deacons had been elected and ordained, or installed; of whom Mir. A. B. is now present as
the representative of that Session.
The report of the commission was accepted.
Mr. B. A., a ruling elder from the church in
0., then requested that the church which he
represents should be taken under the care of
this Presbytery; and that, as its representative, he may  be recognised in the present
sessions.
Whereupon, it was
Resolved, 1. That the  First  Presbyterian
Church in 0. be, and it hereby is, received
under the care of this Presbytery, according,,
to its request, and that its name be now entered upon the roll of our churches.
2. That Mr. B. A., a ruling elder in the First
Presbyterian Church in 0., be received as its
representative; and that, as such, he is entitled to a seat in this house as a member of
this judicatory.
6*
65 
66  TIlE PRESBYTERIAN MIANUAL.
[It does not pertain to the scope of the present work to discuss the various questions that have arisen in regard to the
manner in which offences are to be brought to the cognizance
of a Judicatory,-whether by an individual accuser, or on the
ground of "general rumor" or "common fame." Our "Book
of Discipline" allows of both modes, and is sufficiently discriminating in regard to the circumstances in which each is
appropriate. It is our duty, therefore, to furnish the necessary
"forms" required by the "Process" according to each mode.
It is hardly necessary to remark that, the principles of our
"Discipline" being the same whatever the Judicatory before
which the "Process" is conducted, the "forms" which we shall
give are equally applicable, muttatis?izttai,dis, to the Session
and to the Presbytery.
We begin with a case before the Sessiou, and of a kind to be
recognized on the ground of
"C,,iR iiio?t Fallee."
The first notice of the case may appear upon the records in
the following form, namely:-]
The Session, hliving been informed that
rumors are in circulation seriously affecting
the Christian reputation of one of the members of this church, appointed Mr. B. a commnittee to investigate the ma.tter, and, if lihe
shall find "probable  ground of iaccusation," to
prepare the charge in proper form, and to
report at the next meeting.
[The iitiie i,f the offe(lcer is not mentioned in this minute,
for prutdlential reasons.   If the rumor is so clamorous  as to 
DISCIPLINE.
make it necessary to insert the name in the first notice of the
case, the phrase "one of the members" may be replaced by
"J. B. G., a member," &c.  But it is better, if possible, to
suppress the name until it shall have become evident that a
judicial investigation cannot be avoided.
At the next meeting, if the committee shall report that he is
satisfied that the rumors are without foundation, the record may
be made in the words following, namely:-]
The committee appointed at the last meeting of the Session to investigate the rumors
concerning one of the members of this church,
reported that hlie has discharged the duty
assigned to him, and is satisfied that the
reports affecting the reputation of our Christian brother are altogether without foundation
in truth, and had their origin in the personal
malice of an unworthy individual.
This report having been sustained, by a
statement of facts, to the satisfaction of the
Session, it was
Resolved, That the report be accepted, and
that no further notice be taken of the matter.
[If the committee believes the rumors to be true, but not
susceptible of clear and decisive proof at present, the record
should be:-]
The committee appointed at the last meeting of the Session to investigate the rumors
conlcerning one of them embers of thiS church,
reported that he has discharged the duty
assigned to him,  and is satisfied that  the
67 
68      THE PRESBYTERIAN MANUAL.
reports affecting the Christian reputation of
the individual in question are well founded.
At the same time, he is convinced that the
offence, in the language of the "Book of Discipline," chap. iii. sec. iii., is "so circumstanced
that it plainly cannot be prosecuted to conviction" by any testimony at present within the
command of the Session.
This report having been sustained, by a statemnent of facts, to the satisf.actionl of the Session,
It was Resolved,
1. That the report of the committee be accepted.
2. That it appears to be evident that the
case is one of the class intended in the section
of the "Book of Discipline" referred to by the
committee; and that, "however  grievous it
may be to the pious to see an unworthy member in the church, it is proper to wait until
God, in his righteous providence, shall give
further light."
[If at a subsequent time it shall appear  that "sufficient
proof" of the offence can be obtained, a case disposed of as in
the  preceding  minute  may  be  reopened  in  the following
form:-]
The Session, having been informed that the
rumors affecting the Christian reputation of
the member of this church, referred to in the
minutes on pages 69, 70, and 71 of these records, 
DISCIPLINE.
continue still to circulate to the injury of rcligion, and that "sufficient proof" of the offence
can now be obtained, appointed Mr. B. a commnittee to re-investigate the matter, and, if he
shall find'-"probable ground of accusation," to
prepare the charge in proper form, and to report at the next meeting of the Session.
[If the committee shall be convinced that the case is one
requiring the immediate exercise of discipline, the following
form should be adopted for the minute, namely:-]
Tile committee appointed at the last meeting of the Session to investigate [or, to re-investigate] the rumors  concerning one of the
memnbers of this church, reported that, in the
discharge of the duty assigned to him, it became apparent that the case is one which
requires the interposition of the Session; that
he is satisfied that there is "probable groiund
of accusation;" and tliat, in obedience to the
order of the Session, he  has prepared   tie
focllowing
CHARGE.
Common  fame chlarges J. B. G., a member
of this church, with the sin of intemperance, to
the manifest injury of his own Christian standingr and reputation, and to the flagrant reproach of the Clhurch of Christ,-as set forth
in tile fbllowit,ing specifications, namely:
69
ft 
THIE PRESBYTERIAN MIANUAL.
Specification First.
In this, that, on or about the 15th day of
the month of April last, at the time of the
auction-sale on the premises of D. C., the said
J. B. G., then being present at the said auction,
did so conduct himself as to attract the attention and remark of many individuals, and, by
his boisterous and silly conversation and unseemly actions, did lead the bystanders to
believe that he was under the influence and
control of intoxicating liquor; the more especially as he was seen in several instances to
indulge in drinking liquors of this description.
Specification Second.
In this, that, on or about the 1st day of the
month of May last, the said J. B. G., then being
at the public house of J. R., in this town, did
frequently indulge in drinking intoxicating
liquors, and did exhibit various symptoms of
his having drank to excess.
Specification Third.
In this, that, on or about the 10th day of the
month of June last, the said J. B. G., then being
upon the public highway between the public
house of J. R. aforesaid and his own dwelling,
and going in the direction towards the latter
70 
DISCIPLINE.
place, when near the house of R. S., was seen
to stagger in his walk, and in other respects
to make it evident that he was under the illfluence and control of intoxicating liquors.
Specification Fourth.
In this, that, on or about the 4th day of the
month of July last, the said J. B. G., then being
upon the public square in this village, during
the time of the Annual Celebration of "Independence Day," was seen to exhibit many
tokens of his being in a state of intoxication,
particularly in his gait, in the indecent exposure of his person, in the foul and abusive
language with which he replied to one wlho
kindly expostulated with him in regard to his
condition and deportment, and in his efforts to
inflict bodily injury upon certain individuals
who made a friendly attempt to withdraw him
firom public observation.'
The foregoing charge, with its specificationls, may be proved by the testimony of the
following witnesses, namely:*
-- If it is preferred, the names of the witnesses may be attached
to each specification. When there are two or more charges, it
is better that the witnesses relied upon to prove each separate
charge should be named at the close of the specifications under
that charge.
71 
72      THE PRESBYTERIAN MANUAL.
Mr. B. A.
c D. C.
F. E.
"  R. S.
"  T. AV.
Mrs. E. S.
"  C.R.
Miss IH. S.
Mr. C. H.
"  G. T.
Mr. W. R.
The report of the committee was accepted;
And it wvas Resolved,
1. That the Session will proceed without
delay to a judicial investigation of the case
as presented in the charge and specifications
reported by the committee.
2. That when the Session shall adjourn, it
will adjourn to meet in the lecture-room, on
Tuesday, the        day of       inst., at two
o'clock, P.M.; and
The clerk was directed to cite the accused to
appear before the Session, at that time and
place.
IMr. B. was appointed the "Committee of
Prosecution," to "conduct the whole cause on
the part of the prosecution."
[The "Book of Discipline" directs that "no more shall be
done at the first meeting, unless by consent of parties, than to
give the accused a copy of each charge, with the names of the
witnesses to support it; and to cite all concerned to appear at
the next meeting, &c."
If the accused person is present at the meeting at which the
accusation is allowed, a copy of the charges may be "given" to
him, and all the parties may be cited, as in the case before a 
DISCIPLINE.
Presbytery, hereafter presented. (See p. 86.) But if he is
absent, as is generally the case when a private member of the
church is accused before the Session, it seems to be required by
the "Book" that a "first meeting" should be had, at which the
accused may come before the Judicatory, and be furnished
with the charges, &c., prior to the one at which he and the
witnesses are to appear, for the purpose of proceeding to the
trial.
Attention to this matter would prevent the summoning of the
witnesses to attend a meeting at which they cannot be examined, unless the accused shall consent to waive his privilege
of delay, and to proceed at once to the trial,-a waiver which
the Judicatory has no right to anticipate. It would also prove
the means of saving much time, which in so many cases is
consumed, at the commencement of "actual process," in the
discussion of this very question-which is to be considered as
the "first meeting," as intended by the "Book."
At the "first meeting," as appointed in the preceding
minutes, if the accused person is present, let the following
record be made:-]
The unfinished business of the last meeting,
namely, The charge which was tabled, on the
ground of common fame, against J. B. G., a
member of this church, was taken up, and,
3Ar. G. being present, "a copy of the charge"
and its specifications,'"with the names of
the witnesses to support it," was given to
him.
Mr. G. requested that Mir. H., one of the members of this Session, may be assigned to him as
counsel, to aid him  in the preparation and
exhibition of his defence.
7
73 
74      TIIE PRESBYTERIAN MANUAL.
The request was granted; and AIr. II. was
accordingly appointed to that service.*
It w-as tlhen Oirdered,
1. That "'all concerned" be cited "to appear
at the next meeting" of the Session, "to have
the matter fully heard and decided."
2. That when the Session shall adjourn, it
wvill adjourn to meet in this place, on Tuesday,
the      day of, at two o'clock, P.M.
3. That the clerk issue written citations to
the accused party, and to the witnesses named
in the charge against him, to appear before
the Session at the time and place appointed in
the preceding order; and that he also furnish
the accused with citations for such witnesses
as he may desire to summon to testify in his
behalf.
At the adjourned meeting, after the routine business is completed, let the record proceed:-]
It having been ascertained that the citations
ordered at the last meeting "have been duly
- Although the language of the "Book of Discipline," chap.
iv. sec. xxi., implies that an accused person may, even without
obtaining the consent of the Judicatory, request one of its
members to act as his counsel, yet custom and a decent respect
for the Judicatory require that the appointment should be requested as in the text. 
DISCIPLINE.
served on the persons for whom they were intenided," and
3Mr. J. B. G., the accused person, and Mr. B.,
the "Committee of Prosecution," being present,
and
Both parties having declared that they were
ready for trial,
The Session proceeded to the investigation
of the "business assigned for trial."
The MIoderator "solemnly announced from
the chair, that the body is about to pass to the
consideration of the business assigned for trial;
and enjoined on the members to recollect and
regard their high character, as judges of a
court of Jesus Christ, and the solemn duty in
which they are about to act."
The charge, with its specifications, as recorded on page 69 of these minutes, was then
read to the accused party, and
iHe was "called upon to say whether he is
guilty or not" of the things charged against
him.
Whereupon
The  accused  made  answer,  "I  am  not
guilty."
The "Committee of Prosecution" then addressed the Judicatory, presenting his view of
the case committed to him, and stating the
points w,hichl he expects to prove by the wit
75 
76      THE PRESBYTERIAN MANUAL.
nesses, whose names are annexed to the charge
and specifications.*
After which
He proceeded to call the witnesses.
The'i[oderator now stated that, according
to the "Book of Discipline," chapter vi. section vii., "No witness afterward to be exaiined, except a member of the Judicatory, shall
be present during the examination of another
witness on the same case, unless by consent of
parties."
Mr. H., the counsel for the accused, insisted
on the exclusion of the witnesses, according to
the rule; and
It was Ordered accordingly.
Mr. B. then introduced the first witness for
the prosecution,
Mir. B. A., who was sworn by the Moderator,
and testified as follows:
[According to section xvii. of the chapter "Of Witnesses,"
"the testimony given by witnesses must be faithfully recorded,
and read to them, for their approbation or subscription;" and,
according to section x. of the same chapter, "every question
- As the "Book of Discipline" does not prescribe the form
of proceeding in its details, it must be left to the judgment of
the Committee of Prosecution, under leave of the Judicatory,
whether he will "open" the case by a statement of what he
expects to prove, or proceed at once to the examination of the
witnesses. 
DISCIPLINE.
put to a witness shall, if required, be reduced to writing. When
answered, it shall, together with the answer, be recorded, if
deemed by either party of sufficient importance."
The testimony may be entered upon the records with the
minutes, or, as is more frequently done, it may be recorded separately, and be preserved "on file."
At the close of the testimony of each witness, it should he
distinctly stated that]
The testimony was read to the witness, and
approved by him as being correctly recorded.
[When all the testimony, for the prosecution and for the
defence, shall have been received, the record should proceed,
as follows:-]
The witnesses having all been examined,
The parties were heard in their explanations
of the testimony, and in their comments upon
it.
After they had concluded, and had withdrawn from the house,*
The roll was called, that every member of
the Judicatory might "have an opportunity to
express his opinion on the case."
After which,
The final vote wvas taken, and
-- Although there is no express rule which requires that the
parties in an original trial shall withdraw from the house at
this stage of the proceedings, the principle is the same, and the
necessity quite as imperative, as in the case of an appeal,
in which the "Book" expressly  requires all parties to withdraw.
77
7 I; 
78      THE PRESBYTERIAN MANUAL.
The charge, with its specifications, was
holden to be proved.
Whereupon
The following minute was unanimously
adopted:  The Session, having deliberately considered
the testimony in the case of J. B. G., a member
of this church, charged by common fame with
the sin qf intenperance, as in sundry specifications set forth, and having patiently listened
to the arguments and explanations which have
been offered, as well by the accused as by the
Committee of Prosecution, does judge and
decide that the charge has been proved, and
that the said J. B. G. is guilty of the sin of
intemperance charged upon him.
And the Session does further judge and determine that the said J. B. G. ought to be, and
he hereby is, suspended from the communion
of the church, until he shall give satisfactory
evidence of repentance.
Air. G. was then called in, and
The Moderator, in accordance with the "Directory for Worship," chapter x. section iii.,
pronounced upon him the sentence of the
Judicatory.
After which,
Mr. G. gave notice of his intention to appeal
firom this decision of the Session to the Pres 
DISCIPLINE.
bytery of IR. at its next meeting, and stated
that a copy of his appeal, with the reasons for
the same, should be "lodged with the Moderator" "within ten days."*
The following minute was then adopted:  In view of the publicity of the offence of
which J. B. G.. one of the members of this
church, has been proved to be guilty, and of
the great reproach which has been brought by
it upon the Church of Christ,
The Session judges, that fidelity to the interests of religion renders it highly proper and
important that the above sentence should be
made public; and
The Moderator was requested to publish the
same from the pulpit.
[The "Book of Discipline," chap. iv. sec. ix., seems to contemplate a class of offences in which more private means may
be resorted to for removing the scandal. This class may consist
of offences of less heinous character, or of such as, while they
are less extensively known, still do not properly come under
the designation of "private offences."
- This notice of an appeal is inserted for the purpose of
exhibiting the proper form for the minute, and the appropriate
time for giving the notice; although in a case like the one
supposed there is little probability of an appeal being taken.
If an appeal is taken, the minute which follows in the text
ought not to be adopted until the appeal shall have been
decided in favor of the Judicatory. See "Book of Discipline,"
chap. vii. sec. iii. sub-sec. xv.
79 
80      THE PRESBYTERIAN MANUAL.
The first notice of such a case may appear on the recordls, as
follows:-]
The Session, from information which it has
received, having reason to fear that one of the
members of the church has exhibited conduct
unbecoming the Christian profession, appointed
llr. D. a committee to visit him for the pur)ose of conversing with him "in a private
manner," and of "endeavoring to bring him to
repentance."
[At the next meeting, the report of the committee, if he has
been successful, may be recorded in the following manner:-]
MIr. D. reported that he has visited the
brother to whom he was sent by the Session,
and has had free conversation with him  in
reference to the matter in question; that he
acknowledged the report which the Session
has heard to be true; that he appeared to be
sincerely penitent in view of the injury which
his conduct has brought upon the Christian
nanie; and that he declared his purpose, by
the grace of God, to avoid in future whatever
mty be inconsistent with a "conversation as it
becometh the gospel of Christ."
The report was accepted; and it was
RPesolved, That no further notice be taken of
the matter. 
DISCIPLINE.
[If the committee shall not be successful in these private
efforts, the report should be:-]
MIr. I). reported that he has visited the
brother to whom he was sent by the Session,
and has conversed privately with him in reference to the matter in question, but has entirely
failed of obtaining any satisftactory result.  He
fiurther reported that he is convinced that the
case is one which requires judicial investigation, and that he is satisfied that there is
"probable ground of accusation."
The report was accepted; and,
After full deliberation,
Dr. D. was directed to prepare the charge in
proper form, and to report the same at the
next meeting of the Session.
[At the next meeting the report of the committee should be
entered upon the records, as follows:-]
Mr. D. reported that, having made further
efforts, in the case of the brother to whom he
was sent, to bring him to repentance, and
having altogether failed of success, in obedience
to the order of the Session at its last meeting,
he has prepared the charge against him in the
following form, namely:
CHARGE.
Common  fame charges P. J., a member  of
this church, with u)tworthy antd?tnchristit con
81 
82  THIE PRESBYTERIAN MIANUAL.
duct, as the same is set forth in the following
specifications:
Specification, First.
In this, that the said P. J. has been guilty of
breaking a rTiatri,ioi,t,li engagemnent; that is to
say: In the month of May last, onI or about
the 25th day of the month, he entered into a
voluntary engagement of marriage with Miss
E. R., of H., which engagement being still
undischarged he has violated and broken, by
becoming the married  husband of another
woman.
Specification Second.
In this, that the said P. J. has been guilty of
duplicity in his intercourse with Miss E. R. aforesaid; that is to say: Pending the engagement,
as declared in Specification First, and while
M3iss R. was led, by his conversation and letters, to place full reliance in his promise of
marriage, and to make  preparation, on her
part, for the solemnization of their marriage,
he did, notwithstanding, engage to marry, and
did actually marry, another woman, as stated
in Specification First.
Specification, Third.
In this, that the said P. J. has been guilty
of Wcilful falsehood; that is to say: Pending
the cngagemeit, as declared in Specification 
DISCIPLINE.
First, and while the said engagemnent  was
freely and repeatedly acknowledged by him,
niot onlly to iAliss R. herself, but also to her
fainily and friends, he did, notwvithstanding, at
sundry times, and particularly on or about the
2d day of June last, and again on or about the
15th day of the same month of June, delibe
rately and solemnly deny, to one or more individuals, that any such engagement did exist,
or had existed, between himself and Miss R.,
or any other woman.
Which charge, with its specifications, may
be proved by the testimony of the following
witnesses and letters, namely:
Mr. J. H. R.            lMiss E. R.
"  A.D.G.              "  C. H. L.
"  R.W.."   L..E.
MIr. J.'s letter to MissR., dated at E., June 6,18 T"  "          "   "   "  "   "   " "   " 12, "
c" Mr.L.J.B.,"   "  "15, "
The report of the committee was accepted.
[Then proceed as in the former case.]
[We come now to present the "forms" for a case in which
there is
Aw  Izdividital Accuser;
and we shall suppose it to be brought before a Presbytery,
repeating the remark before made, that, with the circumstantial
alterations necessary, the "forms" will be appropriate also to a
Eimilar case before a Session.
83 
84      THE PRESBYTERIAN MIANITAL.
The individual bringing the accusation should present it in
writing, addressed to the Moderator of the Presbytery; and'the
record should be as follows:-]
The Moderator informed the Presbytery that
he has received a communication from the Rev.
G. T., a member of this Presbytery, [or, a
member of the Presbytery of J.; or, from iMr.
G. T., a member of the church in B., under the
care of this Presbytery,] accompanied by a
request that it may be laid before the Judicatory, for its consideration.
The paper was then read; and,
After full deliberation, it was
Ordered, That it be entered upon the minutes.
The following is the communication:
A —, January 1, 18-.
To the Rev. A. B.,
Moderator of the Presbytery of H.
REV. AND DEAR SIR:  Permit me to request that you will lay befoire the Presbytery over which you preside,
the following paper, for its consideration, and
for such action in the premises as the merits
of the case may require.
It has become my painful duty to lay upon
the table of the Presbytery the accompanying
charges affecting the Christian and ministerial
standing of one of the members of this body.
This is not a hasty procedure. I have endea 
DISCIPLINE.
vored, in the manner prescribed by our Lord
in the eighteenth chapter of Matthew, to bring
this offending brother to repentance.  But I
have utterly failed; and I find no reason to
hope that by further delay, or by a renewal of
private efforts, any good end will be accomplished.   In this feeling the two brethren,
whom I took with me in the second stage of
this process, fully concur. In their opinion, as
well as in my own, I have no choice but to
invoke the interposition of the Presbytery;
and I, therefore, respectfully ask leave to
prosecute before this Judicatory the followingt,
CHARGE.
The Rev. G. T. charges the Rev. P. B., a
member of this Presbytery, with unchristian
and unministerial conduct, as set forth in the
following specifications, namely:
Specification First.
[Here insert the specifications, and append the names of all
the witnesses, after the models already given; and then con.
clude as follows:-]
All of which is respectfully submitted.
(Signed)
G. T., a member of the Presbytery of H.;
[or, a member of the Presbytery of J.; or, G. T., a
member of the church in B., under the care of the
Presbytery of H.]
85 
86      THE PRESB13YTERIAN MANUAL.
Mr. T. was "warned that," according to the
"Book of Discipline," chap. v. section vii., "if
he fails to prove the charge, he must himself
be censured as a slanderer of the gospel ministry, in proportion to the malignancy or rashness that shall appear in the prosecution."
To which warning he returned the following
written reply:  The Rev. G. T. replies, and declares that, so
far as he is able to judge his own motives, he
has been induced to enter upon the present
course of discipline solely by an imperative
sense of duty; and he cheerfully assents to
the propriety of the rule which has been read
to him, and promises to submit himself to the
just censure of the Presbytery, if he shall exhibit either "malignancy or rashness in the
prosecution."
Leave was then granted to him to prosecute
the charge, with its specifications, as above
recorded.
Whereupon, Mr. B., the minister accused,
being present, " a full copy of the charges,
with the names of the witnesses annexed,"
was given to him.
Mr. B. requested that the Rev. C. E., a member of the Presbytery, may be assigned to him
as counsel, to aid him in the preparation and 
DISCIPLINE.
exhibition of his defence from the charge
which has been tabled against him.
The request was granted, and the Rev. C. E.
consenting, he was appointed counsel for the
accused.
It was then Ordered,
1. That the "parties and their witnesses"
be cited "to appear and be heard at the next
meeting."
2. That, when the Presbytery shall adjourn,
it will adjourn to meet in this place, [or, at
,] on Tuesday, the       day of, at
eleven o'clock, A.M..
3. That the Stated Clerk issue written citations to the parties and to the witnesses above
named, to appear before the Presbytery at the
time and place appointed in the preceding
order; and that he also furnish the accused
with citations for such witnesses as he may
desire to summon to testify in his behalf.
[The subsequent proceedings will differ so little from those
exhibited in the first case before the Session, that it is not
deemed necessary to carry out the present tiial any further,except to furnish appropriate "forms" for the "Finding" of
the Judicatory in a case of an "Individual Accuser."
If the "Finding" is that the charge has been proved, the
record may be made in the following terms:-]
The Presbytery of IH., having heard the
charge agai(tst thc PRev. P. B., presented by the
87 
88      THE PRESBYTERIAN MANUAL.
Rev. G. T., having carefully examined all the
testimony introduced by both the parties, and
having patiently considered the arguments
and explanations which have been offered, as
well by the accused as by the prosecutor, is
constrained to decide that the charge against
the said Rev. P. B. has been fully proved.
And, further,
The Presbytery, having deliberately considered the whole case, does unanimously judge
and determine, that the said Rev. P. B. ought
to be, and he hereby is, suspended from the
exercise of the functions, all and singular, of
his office, as a minister of the gospel, until he
shall give satisfactory evidence of repentance.
[If the Judicatory shall decide that the charge has not been
proved, it may be necessary to rebuke the prosecutor, according to the warning given to him at the beginning, for the temper in which he has conducted the prosecution; in which case
the record should be:-]
The Presbytery of IHI., having heard the
charge against the Rev. P. B. preferred by the
Rev. G. T., having carefully examined all the
testimony introduced by both parties, and
having patiently listened to the arguments and
explanations which have been offered, as well
by the prosecutor as by the accused, does
solemnly judge and declare that the charge 
DISCIPLINE.
against the said Rev. P. B. has not been
proved. And
The Presbytery further declares and says
that it has been deeply pained by the manifestation, on the part of the prosecutor, of an
unkind and unchristian spirit towards the
accused, for which it finds no apology in the
conduct of the accused, either as it has been
displayed before the Presbytery, during the
painful trial now terminated, or as it has been
proved by the testimony of the witnesses who
have been examined by the parties in the case:
and
The Presbytery, therefore, feels constrained
to admonish the said prosecutor, and to rebuke
the temper in which he has conducted the
prosecution; and to exhort him solemnly to
review his course in this whole procedure; to
be reconciled to his brother; and to cultivate
that blessed charity which "thinketh no evil,"
and which "rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth."
[If the conduct of the prosecutor, on the other hand, has
been of that charitable and conciliatory character which makes
it evident that he has not been actuated by improper and unchristian motives in the prosecution, the second part of the
"Finding" should be expressed in the following terms:-]
The Presbytery further declares and says
that it has been highly gratified with the kind
S9
89 
90      THE PRESBYTERIAN MANUAL.
and Christian temper of the prosecutor, which
has been exhibited throughout the whole trial
now so happily terminated; and that it is
happy to feel, and to testify, that it is not
called upon to pronounce any censure upon
him.
The case is dismissed, therefore, with the
hope, which the Presbytery rejoices to entertain, that the parties will henceforth cherish,
each to the other, those sentiments of fraternial confidence and affection with which they
are both regarded by their brethren of the
Presbytery.
After which,
The members of the Judicatory united in
pratyer and thanksgiving to Almighty God for
the grateful issue to which he has been pleased
to conduct these proceedings.
[One class of cases yet remains. It is said in the "Book of
Discipline," chap. iii. sec. vi., "That in consequence of a report, which does not fully amount to a gen)eral r,'s'or, a slandered individual may request a judicial investigation, which it
may be the duty of the Judicatory to institute."
Such a request may be presented orally, or in writing, at the
option of the individual making it. It is better, however, that
all such communications should be made in writing, and as
definitely as possible. It may be introduced to the Judicatory
in the manner following:-]
The Moderator called the attention of the
Presbytery to a communication which  htas 
DISCIPLINE.
been placed in his hands by the Rev. J. P., a
member of this Presbytery, with a request that
it should be presented to the Judicatory for its
consideration.
The paper was read for the information of
the Presbytery, and,
After mature deliberation, it was
Ordered, That it be entered upon the minutes.
The communication is in the following
words:
B  -, January 1, 18-.
To the Rev. A. B.,
Moderator of the Presbytery of H.
REv. AND DEAR SIR:  You are requested to present to the Judicatory over which you preside, the following
statement, for its consideration, and for such
action as, in its wisdom, it may judge to be
necessary and proper.
The undersigned has learned that a report
is in circulation, to the injury of his Christian
and ministerial standing, which alleges that he
has appropriated to his private use funds intrusted to him for a special purpose, [or, state
the purpose,] and that, when an explanation
wvas sought from him, he had equivocated in
his reply, and had manifested tokens of conscious guilt, even when denying the truth of
the charge.
91 
92      THE PRESBYTERIAN MIANUAL.
The undersigned has learned that the report
further alleges that he has been guilty in a
similar manner in several instances, and in
each of his former pastoral charges; and that
credit is given to the report to such an extent
as seriously to affect his Christian and ministerial reputation. In proof of which, it is only
necessary to state that when, recently, the
congregation in       was about to present to
him  a call to become its pastor, this report
found its way, and was circulated, among the
people of that congregation, and that its influence upon them, as he is credibly informed,
was such as to lead them to relinquish their
purpose of inviting him to settle among them
in the ministry.
Now, inasmuch as the undersigned is unable
to trace this report to any responsible individual, from whom he might demand a retraction of the charge; and inasmuch as the report has been so extensively circulated that no
private measures can relieve him from the obloquy which has been cast upon him; and inasmuch, moreover, as certain friends, in whom
he reposes the greatest confidence, have advised him to this course; the undersigned respeetfully requests that "a judicial investigatioli"' may be instituted by his Presbytery,the constitutional defender of his Christian 
DISCIPLINE.
and ministerial reputation,-that he may have
the opportunity to disprove before his brethren the unworthy charges with which rumor
has connected his name.
All of which is respectfully submitted.
(Signed)
J. P., a member of the Presbytery of H.
The following minute was then adopted,
namely:  The Presbytery is disposed fully to recognize
the right of a member to solicit a judicial investigation of rumors seriously affecting his
Christian and ministerial reputation, and to
admit that, according to the "Book of Discipline," chapter iii. section vi., "it miay be the
duty of the Judicatory to institute such an investigation."
At the same time, the Presbytery, as the
guardian of the reputation of its members, is
clearly of the opinion that such an investigation ought not to be instituted without a manifest necessity; and that, when it does appear
to be necessary, the greatest caution should be
exercised in every stage of the proceedings, lest
evil rather than good should be the result, and
lest the reputation of a brother should be only.
the more seriously compromitted by the very
measures whilch wereC undertaken in its defence.
93 
94      THE PRESBYTERIAN MIANUAL.
It is deemed prudent, therefore, in the first
instance, to appoint a committee to ascertain
whether the rumors, alleged by the Rev. J. P.
to be circulating to the injury of his Christian
and ministerial reputation, are so widely spread,
and so serious in their nature, as to make it
the duty of the Presbytery to institute the investigation which he has requested.
The Rev. Messrs. E. F. and G. H., and Mr.
J. K., elder, were appointed the committee
contemplated in the foregoing minute; and
they were directed, if the circumstances should
seem to demand such an investigation, to prepare the charge in proper form, and to report
to the Presbytery at an adjourned meeting.
[At the adjourned meeting the report of the committee may
be to the effect that it finds no sufficient reason for instituting
an investigation of the rumor, and that it recommends to the
Presbytery to dismiss the whole subject; or, if the members
are satisfied that an investigation ought to be had, the committee may present its report in the following manner:-]
The committee which was appointed at the
last meeting of the Presbytery to ascertain
the nature and prevalence of the rumors
in the case of the Rev. J. P., respectfully reports:
That its first efforts were directed to ascertain whether the reports referred to by Mir.
P. do prevail to such anll extent as to justify 
DISCIPLINE.
the Presbytery in commencing a judicial pro-.
cess on the ground of "commnonfame."
Frorm  the best information which the members of the committee were able to obtain,
without  incurring  the  danger of themselves
bruiting the matter, they were satisfied that
the rumors are both extensive and clamorous
throughout the bounds of several of our own
congregations, and in certain portions of an
adjoining Presbytery, as well as among some
of the neighboring congregations connected
with other branches of the Church of Christ.
Your committee next proceeded to examine
the facts bearing upon the merits of the case, in
order to determine whether the rumors are
"so serious in their nature" as to make it
the duty of the Presbytery to institute a
judicial investigation of Mr. P's. conduct in the
premises.
To this inquiry the committee gave its most
earnest attention. And the result to which it
has been led, is a deep conviction that the
Presbytery ought-without unnecessary delay
-to give MIr. P. the opportunity of disproving
the rumors so extensively believed, to the injury of his Christian and ministerial reputation.
The character of the ministry in general,
also, and the interests of religion, in the judg
95 
96      THE PRESBYTERIAN MANUAL.
ment of your committee, do certainly require
a judicial investigation of the case, in order
that the rumors, if untrue, may be disproved
and put to silence.
In accordance, therefore, with the direction
of the Presbytery, the committee has prepared,
and now presents, the following
CHARGE.
Common fame charges the Rev. J. P., a
member of this Presbytery, with unchristian
(end unministerial conduct, as the same is set
forth in the following specifications, namely:
Specification First.
[Here insert the specifications, and append the names of the
witnesses, after the models given in the preceding pages. Then
conclude the report as follows:]
All of which is respectfully submitted.
By order of the Committee,
(Signed)               E. F., Chairman.
The report of the committee was accepted.
[Then proceed as in any other case in which "common fame
is the accuser." That an investigation has been instituted at
the request of an individual, who claims that he has been slandeied, furnishes no reason why the "actual process," when once
commenced, should not be conducted regularly in all respects.
It is a "judicial investigation," whatever its origin; and the
object of the Judicatory should be to ascertain the truth in regard to the matters charged; and sot-as it has sometimes 
DISCIPLINE.
seemed to be supposed, by the party implicated, that it was,mierely to exculpate the accused, and to shield him, by the semblance of a trial, from the just reproach of his own misconduct.]
[If the accused person shall fail to appear before the Judicatory in obedience to the first citation, nothing further can be
dlone than to ascertain from the clerk that the citation has been
"duly served," and to authorize and issue the "second citation," giving notice to the prosecutor, or " Committee of Prosecution," and to all the witnesses, of the time and place of the
next meeting, and issuing the second citation to any witness
who may have failed to appear.
By chapter iv. section xii. of the "Book of Discipline," "at
least ten days" must be given to an accused person, or a witness, "to obey the first citation.  But, for the second, it is only
necessary to allow'sufficient time' for a seasonable and conveniect compliance with the citation."
When the time appointed in the second citation shall have
arrived, if the accused person still fails to appear, the Judicatory (Session) should proceed in the following manner:]
It having been ascertained that the citations,
ordered at the last meeting, "have been duly
served on the persons for whom they were intended," and
Mlr. B., the "Committee of Prosecution,"
being present, and ready for trial, although the
accused still failed to appear,
The Session determined to proceed to the
investigation of the "business assigned  for
trial."
The Moderator then "solemnly announced
from the chair, that the body is about to pass
to the consideration of the business assigned
9
97 
98      THE PRESBYTERIAN MANUAL.
for trial, and enjoined on the members to recollect and regard their high character, as
judg,es of a court of Jesus Christ, and tlhe
solemn duty in which they are shout to act."
Whereupon, after protracted  deliberation,
the following minute was adopted, namely:
TVhereas, It appears, to the satisfaction of the
Session, that J. B. G. has been duly cited, the
second time, to appear before the Judicatory to
answer to the charge laid against him on the
(around of common fame; and
TVhereas, He still refuses to obey the lawful
summons of the Session, to which, as a member
of this church, he is properly responsible, in
the discipline of Christ's house:
Now, therefore, be it Resolved,
1. That the said J. B. G. ought to be, and he
hereby is, solemnly " excluded from the communion of the church, fbr his contumacy, until
he repent."
'2. That, according to the "Book of Discipline," chapter iv. section xiii., the Session
w'ill proceed to take the testimony in his
case, as if he were present."
3. That Mr. F., a member of this Judicatory,
be Rassigned," according to the rule referred
to in the preceding resolution, "to manage the
defence" of the said J. B. G.
The charge, with its specifications, as re 
DISCIPLINE.
eorided on page 69 of these minutes, was theou
reald; and
sir. F., representing the accused by the app)ointment of the Session, entered, pro forna,
the plea of Not Guilty.
The "Committee of Prosecution" proceeded
to address the Judicatory, presenting his view,
[Proceed, now, as in the trial before given; and, after the
testimony of all the witnesses shall have been taken and recorded, let the following minute he adopted, namely:-]
The testimony of all the witnesses in the case
of J. B. G. having now been taken, and recorded(l, withl the advantage to the accused of
the cross-examination of each witness by Mr.
F'., the member " assigned to manage the defence," in the wilful absence of the said J. B. G.;
and
The Session having, as before recorded, ex
eluded the said J. B. G. from the communion
of the church, because of his contumacy in re.
fusing to appear and answer to the charge preferred against him on the ground of common
i.l tme;
The cause of reli,gion and sound morals is
vindicated, so fiar as, by the Constitution and
laws of the Presbyterian Church, it lies in the
power of the Session to do.
"The business assigned for trial" is, there
99
&c. 
100     THiE PRESBYTERIAN MANUAL.
f'ore, now left, without any decision in regard
to the guilt or innocence of the accused, as
concerning the matters clharged against him;
but with the earnest prayer that God, in the
abunldance of-his grace, and for the sake of our
Blessed MIediator and Advocate, the Lord Jesus
Christ, will lead our offending brother to rep,entance, as for all his sins, so for this, also, his
sin of contumacy, in "refusing to hear the
Church."
[We have now finished all the "forms" in the original trial
of cases of discipline that we propose to give. We have not,
indeed, carried through a trial, in all its details; because it is
manifestly impossible to furnish within any reasonable limitsif at all, in imaginary cases-the proper forms for recording
all the questions, and "points of order," and decisions, which
may be called forth in the progress of a judicial investigation.
Still, it is believed that, in all essential respects, this part of our
Manual will be found to be complete.
Before we proceed to the subject of Appellate Jurisdiction, it
is thought to be the more convenient arrangement, as it is the
more natural, to furnish in this place the necessary "forms"
for the several citations which the "Book" requires in the process of Discipline.] 
CITATIONS.
I. To the Prosecuror
G-, January 1, 18-.
To the Rev. G. T.
SIR:
You are hereby cited to be and appear before
the Presbytery of H., at the Presbyterian
Church in C., on Tuesday, the      day of
at eleven o'clock, A. M., then and there to prosecute the charge against the Rev. P. B., by you
presented to the Presbytery, on the        day
of; to the end that "the matter may be
fully heard and decided."
By order of the Presbytery of IH.
A. B., Stated Clerk.
II. To the Person Accused.
E, January I, 18-.
To J. B. G.
SIR:
You are hereby cited to be and appear before
the Session of the Presbyterian Churchl in this
village, at the lectture-room of the said church,
on Tuesday, the          day of-, at two
o'clock, P. M., then and there to ainswer to the
charge preferred against you by common fame;
[or, by C. S.;] a copy of which charge, with the
101
~itations. 
102     TIlE PRESBYTERIAN MANUA.L.
several specifications under it, and wvitli the
names of the w-itnesses appended to it, was
given to you on Tuesday, the      day of;
to the end that" the matter may be fully heard
and decided."
By order of the Session.
A. B., Moderator, [or Clerk.]
III. Second Citation to the Person Accused.
[The second citation to the person accused should not differ
from the form given for the first citation, except in the necessary change of the dates, and in the addition to it of the following paragraph:]
This being your " second citation," you are
hereby informed, according to the direction of
the "Book of Discipline," chapter iv. section
x., that if you fitil to appear at the time and
place above named, you will "be excluded from
the communion of the church, for your contumacy, until you repent;" and, according to the
xiii. section of the same chapter, that the Session, "besides censuring you for your contuInmacy, will, after assigiliDng some person  to
aaattage your defence, proceed to take the testiilony in your case, as if you were presenit."
IV.  Third Citation to a  Uin-ister Accused.
[The first and second citations to a minister need not differ,
except circumnstantially, from those adldrcssed to a private person.nnl: c  it should hbe thouight proper t,) refer to chapter v. 
CITATIONS.
section xi., instead of, or in addition to, the reference to chapter
iv. section x.
After the proceedings in the Presbytery, consequent upon the
failure of the accused to obey the second citation,-after the
testimony has been taken and recorded, as directed in chapter
iv. section xiii.,-if the minister is "accused of atrocious
crime," it is provided that he may be cited a third time.  In
this citation the same form should be adopted as directed for
the first,-see No. II., above,-with the addition of the following paragraph:]
This being your "third citation," you are
hereby informed that, according to the "Book
of Discipline," chapter v. section xi., if you
shall fail to appear at the time and place above
named, you will be "deposed as contumacious."
V. To a TVitness.
E, January 31, 18-.
To Mr. B. A.
SIR:
You are hereby cited to be and appear before
the Session of the Presbyterian Church in this
village, in the lecture-room of the said church,
on Tuesday, the          day of, at two
o'clock, P..., then and there to give your testiinony in regarid to the matters charg,ed against
J. B. G. on the ground of common fame, [or,
by C. S.]
By order of the Session.
A. B., -3oderator, [or Clerk.]
103 
104     TIHE PRESBYTERIAN MANUAL.
VI. Second Citation to a Witness.
[The second citation to a witness should be after the model
above given,-see No. V.,-with the addition of the following
paragraph:]  This being your "second citation," you are
hereby informed, according to the direction of
the "Book of Discipline," chapter iv. section
x., that if you fail to appear at the time and
place above named, you will "be excluded firomn
the communion of the church, for your contumnacy, until you repent."
" pvltatt 3nri~ hictioll
There are four different ways provided in the "Book of
Discipline," chapter vii., in which a "decision which is formed
in any Judicatory, except the highest, may be carried before a
superior Judicatory" for review.  These various modes are so
fully described in the several sections of this chapter, that it
will not be necessary to occupy much space in these pages with
"forms" adapted to them.
GENERAL REVIEW AND CONTROL.
In the first mode-that of "Gee,crut Reviewto and Control"the initiative is taken by the superior Judicatory, and all the
proceedings of the inferior, of every kind, are brought under
its cognizance.
The ordinary operation of this mode will be found sufficiently
exhibited in the "Form for the Records of a Presbytery," and
also in that "for the Records of a Synod."
In regard to a case such as is supposed in the vi. sub-section
of the section on "Review," it is proper to say that the forms
already given for the citation of individuals will suggest the 
,APPELLATE JURISiD)ICTION.
proper form for a citation which may be addressed to an inferior Judicatory; and that the minutes, where the matter to be
recorded requires that they should be peculiar in their form,
must be so much modified by the circumstances which they are
intended to set forth, that it is evidently impossible to provide
for them beforehand.
A  REFERENCE.
The second mode of carrying up a case is by a "Reference."
In this mode, the inferior Judicatory either invokes the advice
of the superior in regard to some question which has arisen in
a judicial investigation, or refers the whole case to the superior
Judicatory for adjudication.
In the former case, the minute on the records of the inferior
Judicatory should be:-]
A  question  here  arose, whether,  &c.;  [state
the question definitely.]
After a protracted discussion, it was
Resolved, That this question be referred to
the Presbytery, at its next meeting, for its
advice in regard to the proper decision of the
point involved.
[The form in which this reference is laid before the superior
Judicatory may be as follows:-]
The Session of the chuLrch in E. respectfully
refers the following question to the Presbytery
of' H., for its advice in regard to the manner
in whichl it should be decided:  Does the "Book of Discipline" allow? &c.;
[here let the question which is referred be
stated definitely.]
[Lu the superior Judicatory the record should be:-]
105 
106     TIlE PRESBYTERIAN MANUAL.
An overture was received from the Session
of the church in E., containing the following
question, which the Session refers to this body
for its advice:   Does the' Book of Discipline' allow?" &e.
The "Reference" was ir,,de the order of the
day for to-morrow morning at ten o'clock; [or,
was put upon the docket for future consideration; or, was committed to the Rev. Messrs.
A. and B., and Mr. C., elder, to consider and
report during the present sessions.]
[In the subsequent treatment of the subject by the superior
Judicatory, it is not probable that any peculiar "form of
minute" will he required.]
[When the inferior Judicatory refers a case for adjudication
by the superior, it should place upon its own records a full
statement of the reasons which have induced it to make the
"reference;" and its overture to the superior Judicatory should
be in the following form:-]
The Session of the church in E. respectfully
represents to the Presbytery of IT. that, in
the case of, [state the case,] in consequence of,
[state the reasons,] it appears to be "highly
desirable" to remove the matter from the jurisdiction of the Session to that of the Presbytery. The propriety of this course will more
fully appear from the minutes of the Session,
a certified copy of which is herewith prerented. 
APPELLATE JURISDICTION.
The Session asks leave, therefore, "totally
to relinquish the decision, and to submit the
whole cause to the final judgment of the Presbytery."
[If the superior Judicatory enter-tains the "reference," it
wvill proceed in the investigation of the case according to the
forms already given.]
AN APPEAL.
[In the third mode of carrying up a case to a superior Judicatory, namely, by appeal, a party to a judicial investigation,
against whom the inferior Judicatory has given its decision,
applies to the superior to review and reverse the said decision
Y a* lower court.
The trial of an appeal is exhibited it the "Form  for he
Records of a Synod."
The form of an appeal is here given, as follows:-J
E-, January 1, 18-.
To the Rev. R. B.,
Moderator of the Synod of N.
REV. AND DEAR SIR:  The appeal of the undersigned from the
decision of the Presbytery of A. in his case,
respectfully represents that, on the      day
of, in the year 18-, the said Presbytery
of A. did pronounce against him the judgment
lherein set forth below, as the result of its
investigation of certain charges affecting the
Christian and ministerial standing of your
appellant, which had been presented to the
Presbytery by the Rev. G. T.; [or which had
107 
'1li'E PRESBYTERIAN MANUAL.
been prepared by a committee of the said
Presbytery, on the ground of "common fame."]
The decision of the Presbytery is expressed
in the following words, namely:
[Ilere insert the decision of the Presbytery as recorded on
pae 88SS of this volume.]
From this decision of the Presbytery afore,said the undersigned appeals to the Synod of
N., and respectfully requests the Synod to
reverse the decision of the inferior Judicatory,
and to restore him to the full exercise of the
functions of his office, from which he claims
that he has been unjustly suspended.
And for this appeal he presents the following
reasons; all of which he respectfully asks that
opportunity may be afforded him to vindicate
and prove to the entire satisfaction of the
Synod.
I. Because, &c.
[Here let all the reasons on which the appellant relies to
sustain his appeal follow, in their most natural order, (see
"Book of Discipline," chapter vii. section iii. sub-section iii.,)
and let the whole be closed in the following manner:-]
And nowv, Mr. Moderator, for all these reasons, I appeal from the decision of the Presbytery aforesaid to the judgment of the reverend
body over which you preside, and solicit at
18 
DISSENTS AND PROTESTS.
your hlands the justice which, as it appears to
me, was withheld firom nie in the court below.
I am, reverend and dear sir,
With very great respect,
Yours, &c.,
(Signed)                      P. B.
COMPLAINT.
[In the four}th mode of bringing a case to the notice of a
superior Judicatory,-by coinplaint,-some individual,  aot a
party in the case, complains of the course pursued or of the
decision made by the body before which the case was investigated, and asks the superior Judicatory to review the proceedings, and to rectify the wrong which it is claimed has been
done.
The complaint differs from an appeal chiefly in this: that the
appeal must be made by a party to an investigation, claiming
to have been injured by the decision of the inferior Judicatory.
The co?mplaint may be brought by aly person who is not a
party.
The principles involved in the "complaint" are exhibited in
the iv. section of the vii. chapter of the "Book of Discipline;"
but the appropriate forms of procedure would differ so little
from those required in the case of an appeal, that it seems to be
unnecessary to furnish them.]
pi55tnt5 ailh vrotetst5
[The "Book of Discipline," chapter viii., defines the nature
of these important safeguards of the rights of a minority, and
settles the principles on which they are to be employed. The
following "forms" have been carefully adapted to the directions
of that chapter.
10
109 
110      TIrE PREST3YTFERIAN MNIANUAL.
A  dissent by a single member of any Judicatory mnay b)e
recorded in the following terms:-]
The Rev. E. C. desired that his respectful
dissent from this decision [or, resolution, or,
opinion] may be entered upon the minutes.
[A protest, even by a single individual, should be preceded
)y a notice, which, in all ordinary cases, ought to be given
immediately after the decision against which the member
desires to protest. Sufficient time can then be taken to prepare
the protest with its reasons.  The minute should be:-]
The Rev. E. C. gave notice of his intention
to enter his protest against this decision [or,
proceeding].
[If the minority is composed of several members, the notice
may be recorded in the following manner:-]
The Rev. E. C., for himself, and for others
who may wish to join with him, gave notice
of their intention to enter their dissent from
[or, protest against] this decision.
[When the dissent or protest shall have been prepared and
signed by all who desire to join in it, it should be introduced
upon the record in the following manner:-]
In accordance with the notice which was
given yesterday, [or, which was heretofore
given,.] the following dissent [or, protest] was
presented; and, having been read, it was ordered to be entered upon the minutes: 
DISSENTS AND PROTESTS.
[The dissent may be expressed in the language which bfollows:-]
The undersigned ask leave to record upon
the minutes their respectful dissent from the
decision [or, resolution, or, action] of the
mnajority of the Presbytery [or, Synod] in
regard to [here let the matter be indicated as
briefly as possible].
(Signed)     E. C.    B. Y.    R. G., &c.
[The following is a suitable form for a protest with reasons:-]
The undersigned respectfully ask leave to
record upon the minutes of the Presbytery [or,
Synod] their solemn protest against the decision [or, action] of the majority in reference
to [here indicate the matter], for the following
reasons, namely:
I. [Here present the reasons and arguments which have
influenced the minds of the members protesting, and add the
signatures of all who desire to unite in making the protest.]
[If the Judclicatory shall be of opinion that the protest ought
to receive an answer, in order that the "principles or reasonings" which influenced the action of the majority may be
accurately represented, a committee for this purpose should be
appointed, the members composing it being taken from the
majority, thus:-]
The Rev. AIessrs. A. and B. were appointed
a columittee  to drawv up a-n aniiswer" to the
ill 
112     THE PRESBYTERIAN MANUAL.
foregoing protest; [or, if the committee shaall
not be appointed until after the transaction of
other business shall have intervened, to the
protest of the Rev. E. C. and others.]
[when the answer to the protest is introduced, the minute
should be in the following form:-]
The committee which was appointed "to
draw up an answer to the protest" of the Rev.
E. C. and others, presented its report, which
was adopted as the answer of the majority of
the Presbytery, [or, Synod,] and is as follows:
The action of the Presbytery, against which
the Rev. E. C. and others have entered their
protest, is not justly liable to the objections
urged by the members protesting, for the following reasons, namely: [or, as will appear
f'om the following considerations, namely:]
I. [The reasons or considerations should be so framed as to
answer all the arguments of the protest; yet they should be
presented as briefly as possible.]
[If the members who signed the protest should "consider the
answer of the majority as imputing to them opinions or conduct which they disavow," or as doing injustice to the arguments wvhich they had  advanede in their protest, they may
desire to modify in some respects the protest which they have
entered; and the minute should be:-]
The members, to whose protest the foregoing answer was made by the majority of 
DISSENTS AND PROTESTS.
the Presbytery, requested "leave to take back
their protest," that they might "modify it in
such manner as to render it more agreeable to
their views." And
Their request was granted.
[The modified protest having been presented, the record
should state that]
The modified protest of the Rev. E. C. and
others was presented; and, having been read,
it was ordered to be entered upon the minutes
in the wiords following:  The undersigned, &e.
[If the "alteration" which is made in the protest shall seem
to require "a corresponding alteration in the answer of tho
majority," the alteration may be made in the house, or the
paper may be referred back to the committee for the purpose,
as follows:-]
The  modifications in the  protest as now
presented having rendered proper "a corresponding alteration in the answer of the
majority,"
The original answer was referred again to
thle committee which drew it up, for the purpose of making the necessary modifications.
[Wbhen the committee shall report the modified answer to the
protest, the record may be:-]
The committee on the "answer to the protest of the Rev, E. C. and others" presented
10
113 
114     THE PRESBYTERIAN MANUAL.
the document, as now modified in accordance
wvith the alterations which have been made in
the protest, and it was adopted, as follows:  The action of the Presbytery, &c.
[When a protest is "accompanied with a complaint to a
superior Judicatory"-as provided in the chapter "of Dissents
and Protests," sec. iv.-the "form" may be as follows:-]
The undersigned ask leave to record their
solemn protest against the decision of a
majority of the Presbytery in regard to [here
state the matter], and give notice of their intention to complain of the same to the Synod
of N., at its next  meeting, for  the  following
reasons, namely:
I., &c., [Hlere present the reasons, as before
directed.]
[If the complainants desire more time than they can command during the sessions of the Judicatory, to arrange the
reasons for their complaint, they are permitted, by the section
"Of  Complaints," sub-section iv., to present them to the
Moderator "within ten days" after "the rising of the Judicatory." If they design to avail themselves of this privilege, the
last clause of the above notice-" for the following reasons,
namely:"-should be replaced by the following words:-The
reasons for the complaint they will "lodge with the Moderator"
within ten days after the rising of the Presbytery.] 
FORM FOR THE RECORDS OF A SYNOD. 115
-ormz for t~t N Berths Df a 2guoh.
SYNOD OF N
A.D. 18-.
The Synod of N      met in the Presbyterian
Church in H., on Tuesday, October 17th, A.D.
18-, at seven o'clock P.M., and was opened
with a sermon by the Moderator, the Rev. HI. L.,
of the Presbytery of R., from 2 Timothy i. 13:
-"Hold fast the form of sound words, which
thlou hast heard of me, in faith and love which
is in Christ Jesus."
After the sermon, the Moderator offered
prayer, and presided during the constituting
of the Synod.
The roll was made out, and is as follows:
MINISTERS.           CIIURCIHES.
Of the Presbytery of L-.
J. D.
C.           P.N.
B.           L.F.
R.         *G.S.
Of the Presbytery of B
L.           D. E.
F.         *W.T.
J. F.
R. B.
*B. S.
G. R.
:' Not present at the opening of the Synod.
[The entire roll of the members in attendance upon the
EJ,DERS.
R. A.
A. B.
N. 
116     THIE PRESBYTERIAN MANUAL.
Of the Presbytery of R.
P.            J.B.
L.          *C. G.
H. II.
S. M.
*I. G.
Qf the Presbytery of S.
PR.K.,        W.          F.P.
-A. O.        T.         *B.N.
li-nisters.-47.     Elders.-32.
The Rev. R. B., of the Presbytery of B., was
elected Moderator; and the Rev. Messrs. O. J.
and D. P. were elected temporary Clerks.
The Committee of Arrangements presented
the following report, which was adopted,
namelv:  The committee recommends the following
arrangement for the devotional and business
sessions of the Synod:  1. That the Synodical Sermon be preached
in the church, on Wednesday evening, at halfpast seven o'clock.
2. That the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper
l)c celebrated in the church, on Thursday, at
lhalf past two o'clock P.M.
sessions of the Synod should be inserted.  The members coming
after the opening session will be recognised in their proper
places in the minutes; but they should be indicated in the roll
by an asterisk prefixed to their names, as in the text, and referring to a note at the bottom of the page, as above.]
* Not present at the opening Session of the Synod. 
i1lNUTES OF A SYNOD.
3. That the Synodical Prayer-MAeeting be
lholden in the church, on Thursday evening, at
half-past seven o'clock; and
4. That the business sessions of the Synod
be holden in the lecture-roomn of this church,
as follovws:  The morning session to commence at hlalfpast eight o'clock, and to continue until hltlf
past twelve;
The afternoon session to commence at halfpast two o'clock, and to continue until halfpast five; and
The evening session to commence at halfpast seven o'clock.
The  Synod  then  adjourned, to meet tomnorrow morning, at half-past eight o'clock, in
the lecture-room of this church.
Concluded with prayer by the Moderator.
WEDNESDAY, October 18, 18  The Synod met, pursuant to adjournment,
and engaged in devotional exercises, according
to the standing rule.*
The roll was then called, and the following
: The Synod whose records have been taken as a guide in
preparing the "Formi" in the text has a standing rule requiring that its "daily sessions shall be opened with devotional
exercises, to be continued at least three-fourths of an hour."
117 
118     THE PRESBYTERIAN MIANUAL.
additional members were reported as being
present, namely:-*
Of t-he Presbytery of H., 31r. G. S., elder.
Of the Presbytery of R., the Rev. J. G.; and
Of the Presbytery of S., MIr. B. N., elder.
The minutes of the opening session were
read and approved; and printed copies of the
minutes of the last annual meeting were distributed among the members.t
Information was received from the Rev.
3[essrs. S. F., G. L., P.S., I). B., J. W., H. T.,
and I). M., communicating the reasons of their
absence from the present sessions of the Synod.
The Rev. M[essrs. G. D)., of the Synod of P.,
L. H., D.D., of the Synod of J., E. C., of the
- This minute is formed in accordance with another rule of
the same Synod, by which members coming at any time after
the opening session are required to report themselves, and
their excuses, to the chairman of the Committee on Leave:f
Absence. The clerks enter their names upon the roll as they
are reported to them by the chairman of the committee. Time
otherwise consumed in hearing excuses for late attendance-in
a numerous Synod, often serious in its aggregate-is thus
saved; and an unpleasant interruption to business, frequently
recurring, is obviated. The operation of the rule has proved
to be highly satisfactory.
t If a Synod has not the useful practice of printing its
minutes for circulation among its members and the churches
under its care, the second clause of this minute should be replaced by the following:-"and the minutes of the last annual
mecting were also read." 
MINUTES OF A SYNOD.
Berkshire Association, Mass., and A. B. L.,
D.D., of the Synod of A., being present, were
invited to sit as corresponding members.
The docket of business was then presented
and read by the Stated Clerk.
The Moderator announced the Standing
Committees, as follows:  1. Of Bills and Overtures.-The Rev. Drs. A.,
E., and M., and MIessrs. A., J., and W., elders.
2. Judicial Comnmittee.-The Rev. Dr. S., the
Rev. Messrs. P. and IH.,' and Messrs. B. and P.,
elders.
3. On Leave of Absence.-TThe Rev. Messrs. G.
and C., and Dr. J., elder.
4. On the Naarrative.-The Rev. Messrs. C.,
M., and W., and Messrs. G. and J., elders.
5. On the Xinutes of the General Assembly.The Rev. Messrs. F. and S. T., and Mr. T., elder.
On the Records of the Presbyteries.
Of H.-The Rev. Messrs. L. and C., and Mr.
B.. elder.
Of B.-The Rev. Messrs. T. and S., and the
lion. 31. P., elder.
Of R.-The Rev. Messrs. F. and B., and Dir.
R., elder.
Of ASK.-The Rev. Messrs. P. and A., and Mr.
S., elder.
The Committee of Arrangements presented
a report, recommending the following order of
1.19 
120      TIIE PRESBYTERIAN MIANUAL.
exercises for the celebration of the Lord's
Supper on Thursday afternoon, namely:
1. IJtroductory Remarks, and Hymn, by the
Mloderator.
2. Prayer, by the Rev. Mr. T.
3. Address, by the Rev. Dr. A.
4. Administration of the Sacrament, by the
Rev. Dr. C.
5. Address, by the Rev. Mr. D.
6. Prayer, by the Rev. Dr. W.
7. Hymn, and Benediction, by the Moderator.
The committee also recommended the followiil, order of exercises for this evening:-[Insert order.]
The recommendations of the committee'vere
adopted.
The Treasurer of the Synod presented his
annual report; and, having been read, it was
referred to Mfr. J. and Dr. W., elders, for examtination.
Atr. P., elder, was appointed a committee to
receive from the several Presbyteries the
amount assessed upon them in the standing rule
to meet the contingent expenses of the Synod.*
' An  assessment upon the several  Presbyteries, arranged
according to the number and ability of the churches under the
care of each, has been found to be the most satisfactory method 
of obtaining the funds required for the incidental expenses of
the Synod. 
MINUTES OF A SYNOD.
The next annual meeting of the Synod wvas
appointed to be holden in the First Preshyterian Church in N., on the third Tuesday ill
Octobl)er, A.D. 18-, at seven o'clock r.Pr.; and
the Iev-. Drs. A. and B., the Rev. MJr. C., and
Messrs. D. and E., and Dr. F., elders, wvere appointed the CommIittee of Arrangrements.
The Rev. Dr. A., the Rev. Ar. C., and MIr.
H., elder, were  appointed  a committee  to
nominate a preacher, and to propose a subject
for the sermon to be delivered during the next
annual meeting of the Synod.
It wvas made the order of the day for tomorrow  morning at ten o'clock to hear the
statistical reports of the several Presbyteries,
and the Narratives of the State of Religion
within their bounds.
The  committee on, appointed at the
last annual meeting of the Synod, reported
progress, and requested to be continued; and
also that Messrs. G. and H., elders, may, for
reasons which were briefly assigned, be added
to the committee as at present constituted.
The report was accepted, and the requests
of the committee were granted.
The committee appointed at the last annual
meeting to consider the subject of         presented a report, which was accepted.
11
121 
122      THE PRESBYTERIAN  MIANUAL.
On the question of adopting the report, a
protracted discussion arose;-pending which,
A recess was taken until half-past two
o'clock.
After the recess, the following additional
members  were  reported  as being  present,
namely:
Of the Presbytery of H., the Rev. B. J. and
3[r. R. T., elder;
Of the Presbytery of R., 3Ir. C. G., elder.
The  unfinished  business of the morning,
namely, the report of the committee on the
subject of, was then taken ulp for considerationI; and,
After further discussion,
In view of the importance of the subject, the
report was referred to the Rev. Dr. S., the Rev.
MIr. H., and ifessrs. B. and J., elders, to give it
further consideration, and to report at the next
annual meeting of the Synod.
The committee to audit the Treasurer's accounts reported that it finds them to be
correct, as compared with the vouchers  accompanying them.
The report was accepted.
The Committee of Bills and Overtures reported  that an overture-No. I.-had  been
presented to it, proposing that measures should
be taken with a view to the division of this 
MIlNUTES OF A SYNOD.
Body into two Synods.  The committee recommends that no action should be taken on this
subject:-and
The recommendation of the committee was
unanimously adopted.
The committee also reported that it had received an overture —No. II.-in reference to the
erection of a new Presbytery, to be composed
of portions of the Presbyteries of B. and R.
In regard to the subject of this overture,
the committee is of the opinion that there
exists no occasion  for the exercise of the
Synod's power "to erect inew Presbyteries,"
in the absence of any request to that effect
from the Presbyteries concerned.  The committee therefore recommends that no action
should be taken in the premises by the Synod.
The recommendation was adopted.
The committee further reported,
Overture III.  In our "Form of Government," chap. xiii. sec. ii., do  the  words
"church" and "congregation" mean the same
body?
The committee recommends that this inquiry
be answered in the affirmative.
This report was accepted, and referred to
the Rev. Mesrs. — t. and N., to prepare a minute
wliclh  syall (,xplress the judgment of the Synod
upoll the  stl)j.icct.
123 
124     THE PRESBYTERIAN MANUAL.
A  recess was then  taken until half-past
seven o'clock, in the church.
At half-past seven o'clock, the Rev. R. N. B.
preached, by appointment, on "The Doctrine
of Regeneration," from John i. 13:-" Which
were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the
flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God;" and
the exercises were conducted according to the
previous arrangement of the Synod.
After the services,
The Synod adjourned, to meet to-morrow
morning,, at half-past eight o'clock, in the
lecture-room.
Concluded with prayer.
THURsDAY, October 19, 18  The Synod met, pursuant to adjournment,
and engaged in devotional exercises, according
to the standing rule.
The calling of the roll was dispensed with.
MIr. C. G., elder, of the Presbytery of R., was
reported as being present.
The minutes of the proceedings of yesterday
were read and approved.
The  Committee of Arrangements made  a
report, recommending the following order of
exercises for the Syn-odical Priyer-3Iceting at
half-past seven o'clock this eveniig: -[Iinsert
iceport.] 
MINUTES OF A SYNOD.
The report was adopted.
The committee which was appointed to examine the Minutes of the General Assembly
reported that it would call the attention of the
Synod to the following items, namely:  1. On page 482: The recommendation by the
Assembly of the observance of the first Monday
in January as a day of prayer for the conversion of the world, and also of the last Thursday in February as a day of prayer for colleges.
2. On page 496: The subject of the "ChurchErection Fund" of the General Assembly.
3. On page 503: The resolution of the
Assembly on the subject of Temperance.
4. On page 511: The action in regard to the
Presbyterian Publication Commitee
5. On page 513: The subject of the Educationl of Young Mlen for the Office of the Gospel
Mfinistry. And,
6. On page 538: The recommendation of the
General Assembly of 1821, That "all the
churches under our care observe the afternoon
or e,enting previotts to the meeting of the General
Assembly as A SEASON OF SPECIAL PRAYER to
Almighty God for his blessing" upon its sessions.
The report of the committee was accepted.
The first item of the report was then taken
up for consideration; and the Synod recommenidedl to all the churches under its care to
11 --
125 
126     TIlE PRESBYTERIAN MIANUAL.
observe the first Mlonday in JanLuary, and the
last Thursday in February, in the manner
contemplated in the recommendation of the
General Assembly.
The second, fourth, and fifth items of the
report vwere put upon the docket for future
consideration.
The third item of the report-on the subject
of Temiperance —was taken up, and the resolution of the Assembly was adopted, in the
words following, namely:
[The insertion of the minute itself is not deemed to be
essential to the purpose of these "forms."]
The sixth item of the report-respecting
special prayer for the Getneral Assembly-was
then  taken  up  for  consideration, and the
following resolution was adopted:
Resolved, That the Synod heartily concurs
in this important recommendation of the
Assembly  of 1821, and  vwould  express  its
earnest desire that the observance of the appointed seasoii of special prayer in )behalf of
each General Assembly may be revived.
The Committee of Bills and Overtures reported,
Overture IV. MIlty an accused person who
fi'tils to appetir for trial, and is proved to be
guilty of the clrges alleged aga,jinst him, 
MINUTES OF A SYNOD.
be sentenced on evidence taken in his absence?
This overture was put upon the docket for
future consideration.
The Synod then proceeded to the order of the
day. The statistical reports of the several
Presbyteries, and the Narratives of the State of
Religion within their bounds, were read; and
the latter were referred to the Committee on
the Narrative of the Synod.
The Judicial Committee reported the appeal
of HI. N. firom the decision of the Presbytery
of A. as having been regularly conducted on
the part of the appellant, and recommended
that it be taken up in the order prescribed in
the "Book of Discipline," chap. vii. sec. iii. subsections viii. and ix.
The report was adopted; and
It was made the order of the day, for this
afternoon, after the services of the communion,
to take up the said appeal.
The second item of the report of the Committee on the Minutes of the General Assembly,
respecting the Assembly's "Church-Erection
Fund," was taken up for consideration.
A circular letter from the trustees of the
fuind was read, and, after discussion,
The Rev. MIessrs. B. and 0., and -ir. P., elder,
were.tjlpoinited. a committee  to prepare a
127 
128     TIIE PRESBYTERIAN MANUAL.
minute w-hich shall embody the vicws of the
Synod as expressed in this discussion, and to
report the same during the present sessions.
The Committee on the Records of the Presbyteries of H., B., R., and F. severally reported,
recommiending that the books be approved as
fiar as written.
These reports were adopted.
The Committee on the Records of the Presbytery of S. reported that the Book of Records
has not been in the house during the present
sessions of the Synod;-Whereupon
The committee was discharged.
The Commnittee on the Records of the Presby-tery of A. requested leave to withhold its
report until aftelr the action of the Synod in
the judicial case -which has been  reported
slhall have been completed.
The request was granted.
The  committee  which was  appointed  to
nominate a preacher, and to propose a subject
for the sermon to be delivered during the next
'alnuaIl meeting of the Synod, reported, recommending that the Rev. O. P. be appointed the
preacher, and that the Rev. R. S., I).D., be his
alternate.  The committee proposed also the
foillowiig subject for tlhe discourse, namely:"The Doctrine of' the Divine Decrees; particul.rly that of' Electioii." 
MINUTES OF A SYNOD.
The recommendations in this report wcl:e
adopted.
The fourth item in the report of the Committec on the 3iniutes of the General Assembly
-referrilg, to the Presbyterian Publicatiot Comitnmittee-which had been put upon the docket,
was then taken up for consideration; and
The following resolutions were adopted:  Resolved, [Engross the resolutions.]
The fifth item of the report, on the subject
of Edtcation for the Jlinistry, was taken from
the docket; and,
After a brief discussion,
The following minute was adopted, namely:  TVhereas, in the judgment of this Synod, the
subject, &e.
[Here proceed to engross the preamble and resolutions on
this subject.]
A recess was then taken until half-past two
o'clock, in the church.
At half-past two o'clock, the Sacrament of
the Lord's Supper was administered in the
church, and the services were conducted according to the previous arrangement.
After the services,
The Synod retired to the lecture-room and
resumed the transaction of business.
The  co(naittee appointed to receive  the
assesslments ilr tlh  incidental expenses of the
129 
130     THIE PRESBYTERIAN MANUAL.
Synod reported that he had received fiom all
the Presbyteries the amount of the assessment,
as directed by the standing rule, the total sum
received being $
The report was accepted; and it was
OrderedI, That the amount be placed in the
hands of the Treasurer.
The resolution adopting the report of the
Committee on the Records of the Presbytery
of R. was reconsidered; and
The following minute was adopted as a substitute, namely:  The minutes of the Presbytery of R. were
approved as far as written, with the following
exception:  On page 205 a record is made of' a resolution
to proceed to the ordination of a licentiate by
a cormmittee, instead of by the Presbytery itself'
as required by the" Form of Government," chap.
xv. sec. xii.
The Synod then proceeded to the order of
the day.  And
The appeal of At. N. from the decision of the
Presbytery of A. was taken up.
The appellant requested that the Rev. G. K.
may be assigned to him as counsel, to aid him
in conductingr his appeal before the Synod.
The request of thle apl)cllallit wa,s granted, and
the Rev. G. K. Nva a,ssignec to himi as cottiiscl. 
MINUTES OF A SYNOD).
The Moderator soleimnly announced "fronm
thel chair that the Synod wvas about to pass to
the consideration of the business assigned for
trial, and enjoined upon the members to recollect iand regard their hi(gh character as judges
of' a court of' Jesus Christ. and the solemn duty
in whichl they wsere about to act.
The sentence appealed from was then read.
The reasons assigned by the appellant for
his appeal, and which are on record, were also
read.
The whole record of the inferior Judicatories
in the case, including all the testimony, was
read.
The original parties were then heard, in
part; and
The further consideration of the case was
postponed until after the Synodical PrayerMleeting this evening.
The  Committee on the Narrative of the
State of Religion within the bounds of the
Syn-od presented its report, which was adopted
and ordered to be read at the prayer-mieetilng
this evening, and to be published.  (See Appendix.)*
. If the minutes of the Synod are printed, the Narrative
need not be engrossed in the records, but should be placed in
an appendix, with a reference in the printed copies as in the
text. If the Synod does not print its minutes, the minute in
1'31 
THE PRESBYTERIAN  MIANUAL.
A recess was then taken until hlalf-past sevecn
o'clock, in the church.
At half-past seven o'clock the Synodical
Prayer-3leeting was attended in the church
by the Synod, in connection with the congregation present, and the services were conducted
according to the previous arrangement.
After the services,
The Synod retired to the lecture-room and
resumed the transaction of business.
The  committee  which  was  appointed to
prepare a minute expressing tlhe views of the
Synod in relation to the Chuich-Erectiot Fiutid
of the General Assemibly reported the following resolultions, which were adopted, namnely:
_Resolved, That, &c.
[The resolutions should here be engrossed, being part of the
records.]
The unfinished business of the afternoon,
nanmely, the appeal of -I. N., was then taken up.
The original parties were heard in continuLation of their respective arguments, until they
had concluded;-After which,
The Synod  adjoLurned, to meet to-morrow
morning at half-past eight o'clock.
Concluded withl prayer.
the text should end with the words "this evening;" and the
Narrative should then b)e inserted as in the "Form  for the
Records of a Presbytery" on page 24 of this MIanual.
132 
MINUTES OF A SYNO)D.
FRIDAY, October 20, 18-.,
The Synod met, pursuant to adjournment,
and engagced in devotional exercises, according
to the standing rule.
The calling of the roll wvas dispensed with.
The minutes of the proceedings of yesterday
wvere read and approved.
The Synod then resumed the consideration of
the unfinished business, namely, the appeal of
-A. N. from the decision of the Presbytery of A.
The Session by which the case wvas originally
tried was heard; and
The committee of the Presbytery appointed
to defend its proceedings in the case was heard,
until the arrival of the hour for recess, when
A recess was taken until half-past two o'clock.
After the recess, the Treasurer wvas directed
to p)ay the salary of the Stated Clerk, and the
janitor's bill, amounting to $
The unfinished business was taken up, and
The  committee to defend the Presbytery
-was further heard.
Other members of the inferior Judicatory
were also heard in explanation of the grounds
of thleir decision, or of their dissent from it.
After- all the parties had been fully heard,
and the original parties and all the members
of the inferior Judicatory had withdrawn from
the house,
12
133 
1.'34     TIIE PRESBIYTERIIAN MIANUAL.
The roll was called, that  every member
might have  an opportunity to express his
opiniionl on the case;-After whlich,
Thle final vote wvas taken, and!
The appeal wras unanimously sustained.*
The Rev. LAiessrs. A. B. and C. D. were appointed a committee to prepare a minute for
adoption by the Judicatory, setting forth its
decision and the grounds thereof; and
The coimmittee had leave to retire for the
purpose of preparing its report.
The Rev. Drs. J. M., J. W., and H. R., and
M1essrs. T. K. and C. S., elders, were elected
the Synod's "Commiittee on  Churceh-Exten
- The final vote may be merely "sustained," or "not sustained," and the record should be made accordingly, as in the
text. But if the vote should be very much divided, or the
principles involved in the decision seem to require it, the "yeas
and nays" may be demanded by "one-third of the members
present;" in which case the record should be as follows:  The final vote was taken; and,
Tihe yeas and nays having been ordered,
The appeal was sustained [or, the Synod refused to sustain
the appeal] by the following vote, namely:  To SUSTAIN.-3fi)lhisters: A. B., C. D., E. F., &c.
Elders: R. S., T. W., &c.  Total vote to sustain, 54.
NOT TO SUSTAIN. —finisters: G. 11., J. K., &c.
Elders: O. P., S. T., &c.  Total vote not to sustain, 12.
NON LIQUET.-finisters: J. E., &c.
Elders: L. M., &c.  Total non liquet, 5.
EXCUSED FROM VOTING.-.IIn-;sters: B. C., &c.
Elders: D. 0., &e.  Total excused from voting, 7. 
MIINUTES OF A SYNOI).
sioni," required by the xi. article of thie Generial
Assembly's Church-Erection Plan.
The followinvg resolution was unanimously
adopted:  Resolved, That the thanks of the Synod be
presented to the trustees of the Presbyterian
church in H., for the use of their house of
worship during the present sessions; to the
singers, for their acceptable services; to the
Committee of Arrangements, for the efficient
manner in which its duties have  been discharged; and to the families whose Christian
hospitalities the members of the Synod hlave
enjoyed.
The committee appointed to prepare a minute expressing the judgment of the Synod respecting the subject presented in Overture No.
III. requested leave to withhold its report until
the next annual meeting of the Synod.
The request was granted.
Overture IV., which had been put upon the
docket, w-as then taken up for consideration;
and, after a brief discussion,
It was referred to the Rev. 3Iessrs. L.'M.
and N., and Mlessrs. 0. and P., elders, to consider the subject, and to rep)ort at the next
annual meeting of the Synod.
The Committee on Leave of Absence  reported that le,tvc of absence has beci giveili to
135 
136     TIIE PRESBYTERIAN MANUAL.
the following members of the Synod, namely:
The Rev. Mlessrs. W., D., R., J., &c., and Messrs.
F., G., H., &c., elders.
The committee appointed to prepare a minute
setting forth the result to which the Synod has
arrived in the case of the appeal of M. N. presented the following report, which was adopted,
namely:  The Synod of' N., having heard and considered the appeal of M. N. from the decision
of the Presbytery of A. in his ease, does unanimously judge and determine that the same be,
and it hereby is, sustained, on the following
grounds:
I. [Here should follow, in detail, the several reasons assigned.]
The Committee on the Records of the Presbytery of A. reported, recommending that they
be approved as far as written, with the exception of so muchl as relates to the case of discipl)ine which has been brought before the Synod
on the appeal of M. N., and in which the
appeal lhas been sustained and the decision of
the Presbytery reversed.
The report wvas adopted.
The following resolution wvas unanimously
adopted:  Ji'esolved, That the members of the SynIod 
MINUTES OF A SYNOD.
hereby express their intention to remembQr
each other at the throne of grace on the
morning of every Lord's day.
After this resolution had been solemnly
adopted, the members as a body giving their
assent by rising from their seats, it was proposed to seek the blessing of God upon the
clgagement into which the Synod has now
entered; and
A brief and appropriate prayer was accordiigly offered.
The minutes of the proceedings of to-day
were read and approved.
The roll was then called, and it appeared
that the following members had left the Synod
without leave: namely, MIessrs. T., F., W., &c.
After which,
The Synod adjourned, to meet in the First
Presbyterian Church in N. on the third Tuesday in October, A.D. 18-, at seven o'clock P.m.
Concluded with prayer, singing, and the
benediction.
N. E. S., Stated Clerk.
12'
137 
138     TIlE PRESBYTERIAN MANUAL.
itat~tig  gutt5.
[The following standing rules, having been approved by the
experience for several years of one of our largest Synods, are
given as a guide in forming a code of by-laws for the regulation of a Synod or of a Presbytery. Variations and additions
will, of course, be suggested by the particular wants or experience of each Judicatory which may be disposed to adopt
them.]
I. The Synod shall meet annually on the
third Tuesday of October, at three
o'clock P.m., at such place as shall be
designated at the meeting of the pre     vious year.
II. A Committee of Arrangements shall be
appointed previously to the adjourn     ment, yearly, swho shall provide suitable
accommodations  for the  Synod,  and
propose the arrangements for the devo    tional exercises.
III. The annual meeting of the Synod shall
be opened with a sermon by the 3Iodc     rator; or, in case of his failure, by some
member of the Synod designated by the
Committee of Arrangements.
IV. All the devotional meetings of the Synod
shall be held ait the place of opening
the annulitll  meeting. 
STANDING RULES.
V. The daily sessions of the Synod shall be
opened with devotional exercises, to be
continued at least three-fourths of an
hour.
VI. At every annual meeting of the Synod
a sermon on some topic designated by
the Synod shall be preached by a minis      ter appointed at the meeting of the
previous year. The Lord's Supper also
shall be celebrated. Both of these ser      vices shall be at such times as shall be
proposed by the Committee of Arrange      ments.
VII. The permanent officers of the Synod
shall be a Stated Clerk and a Treasurer,
who shall continue in office during the
pleasure of the Synod, and the former
of whom shall receive for his services
the annual sum of       dollars.
VIII. To meet the contingent expenses of the
Synod, the several Presbyteries are re      quested to furnish annually the amount
assessed upon them in the following
schedule:    A,$  -   -,$       G,$
B,       E,        H 
IX. The Stated Clerks of the several Pres      byteries are charged to forward the roll
of their respective bodies to the Stated
139 
140     THE PRESBYTERIAN MANUAL.
Clerk of the Synod at least one week
previously to every annual meeting.
X. In addition to the statistical report re     quired by the "Form of Government,"
chapter x. section ix., every Presbytery
shall make an annual report, in writing,
of the state of religion in their respect     ive bodies.
XI. The minutes of the annual meeting of
the Synod shall be published under the
direction of the Stated Clerk, as soon as
practicable after the adjournment, and
a copy sent to every member of the
Synod.
XII. Members of the Synod arriving at any
time after the opening session shall
report themselves to the chairman of
the Committee on Leave of Absence,
and offer their reasons for tardiness to
the said committee; and their names
shall be entered upon the roll by the
Clerks, on the report of the chairman of
the committee. 
DOCKET OF BUSINESS.
q Bittt Df Nusint55.
[The docket, as prepared by the Stated Clerk before the meeting
of the Judicatory, should contain all the items of routine business,
all matters laid over from a former meeting, and a reference to
all committees from which reports are to be received.  It is not
deemed necessary to present in this Manual a separate docket
for a Presbytery, as the variations required to adapt the form
given to any particular Judicatory will readily suggest themselveS.]
DOCKET,, 18-.
1. Election of Moderator.
'. Election of two Temporary Clerks.
3. Printed minutes of the last annual meeting
to be distributed.
[If the minutes are not printed, the third item should be,
Minutes, &c. to be read.]
4. Standing committees to be appointed by
the Moderator:
(1.) Of Bills and Overtures, to consist of
three ministers and two elders; [or,
four ministers,and three elders;]
(2.) Judicial Committee, to consist of three
ministers and two elders;
(3.) On Leave of Absence, to consist of
two ministers and one elder;
(4.) On the Narrative, to consist of three
ministers and two elders;
141 
142      TIlE PRESBYTERIAN MANUAL.
(5.) On the Minutes of the General As        sembly, to consist of two ministers
and one elder;
(6.) On the Records of the Presbyteries,
two ministers and one elder to each
Presbytery.
5. Reports  of the  Committee  of Arrange  ments:
(1.) In regard to the times for the Devo        tional and Business Sessions;
(2.) Order of exercises for the Synodical
Sermon;
(3.) Order of exercises for the Communion
Service;
(4.) Order of exercises for the Synodical
Prayer-Meeting.
6. Treasurer's Report to be received and read.
7. Auditing Committee to be appointed.
8.    "         "       " report.
9. Committee to receive the assessments upon
the Presbyteries to be appointed. (See
VIII. Standing Rules.)
10. Committee to receive the assessments to
report.
11. Place for the next annual meeting of the
Synod to be appointed.
12. Committee of Arrang,ements for next year
to be appointed.
13. Appoint committee to nominate the 
DOCKET OF BUSINESS,
preacher and the subject for the Synod    ical Sermon niext year.
14. Committee on Preacher and Subject to
report.
15. Appoint order of the day for hearing the
statistical reports and the Narratives of the
Presbyteries.
16. Report of the Committee on -; Rev.
Dr. G., chairman.
17. Report of the Committee on -; Rev.
J. H., chairman.
18. Report of the Committee on "Church-Ex    tensionl," required by the xi. article of
the General Assembly's "Church-Erection
Plan;" Rev. Dr. M., chairman.
19. Appoint a similar committee for the en    suing year. It must consist of "at least
five members."
20. Take order in regard to the Stated Clerk's
salary, and the janitor's bill for stationery
and attendance.
[To the original docket the Moderator will make additions
from time to time, during the progress of the sessions, as follows:-]
21. Order of the day for Thursday, ten o'clock
21. Order of the day for Thursday, ten o'clock
A.MI.: statistical reports and Narratives of
the Presbyteries to be read.
22. Wednesday A.M.  Report of Committee on
, unfinished at recess.
143 
TIIE PRESBYTERIAN MAANUAL.
23. Overtture III.: Rev. Maessrs. M. and N.
coimmittee to report a minute.
24. Second item in Report on Assembly's Min   utes:-" Church-Erection Funld."
25. Fourth item in Report on Assembly's Min   utes:-" Presbyterianl Publication Com   mittee."
26. Fifth item in Report on Assembly's Min   utes:-" Education for the Ministry."
27. Overture IV.: "Accused person failing to
appear: can he be sentenced?"
28. Order of the day, after the communion
services: appeal of M. N.
29. "Church-ErectionFund:"-Rev. Messrs. B.
and O., and Mr. P., elder, committee to
report a minute.
30. Committee on Records of the Presbytery
of A. to report after the appeal shall have
been issued.
31. Appeal of M. N.: further hearing after
Synodical Prayer-Meeting.
32. Appeal of 3M. N.: further hearing, Friday
morning.
33. Appeal of Mi. N.: further hearing, Friday
P.M.
34. Committee to report a minute of the Sy   nod's finding in the case of the appeal of
M. N., Rev. Messrs. A. B. and C. D.
TIlE END.
144 
INDEX.
A.
PAGE
Admission to Church-Mlembership......................... 5
Adjourned Mleeting of Presbytery........................ 46
Appeal from Session.......................................... 78
from Presbytery.................. 107, 127, 130, 133
Appellate Jurisdiction............................ 104
B.
Benevolent Collections.............................. 8
Bills and Overtures............................... 122, 126, 135
Business Docket............................................. 141
C.
Churclh-Miembership........................................... 5
Certificate of........................ 19
Letter of Credence for........... 21
Trial................................... 66
Certificate of Dismission of Church-Member.......... 19
of Minister.................. 27, 28
Complaint................................................ 31, 38,109
Church, Dedication of......................................... 22
13              145 
INDEX.
PAOE
Church, Organization of...................................... 59
Common Fame, Accusation by.................6......... 6, 95
Call for Special Mleeting of Presbytery.................. 57
Citations........................................................... 101
Call by a Church in Presbytery for a Member of
the Presbytery......................................... 27
Call of a MAinister of another Presbytery............ 33, 50
Call from a Church of another Presbytery..... 41, 47, 49
Commissioners to General Assembly.................. 31, 35
Commissioners' Fund.......................................... 36
Committee on Bills and Overtures............ 122, 126, 135
D.
Death of Ruling Elder.................................  13
Pastor................................................ 14
Dissolution of Pastoral Relation........................ 49, 52
Dismission of Church Member............................. 19
Minister................................... 27, 28
Pastor............................. 49, 52, 53, 55
Docket of Business........................................... 141
Dissents........................................................... 109
Dedication of House of Worship......................... 22
Deacons, Election of.......................................... 63
Discipline..........................................................   66
E.
Elders, Election of.......................................... 10, 63
Death of.............................................. 13
Certificate of...................................... 20
Election of Elders........................................... 10, 63
Pastor.............................................. 18
146 
INDEX.
G.
PALE
General Reviewv and Control................................. 104
I.
installation of Pastor........................... 28, 34, 48, 50
Individual Accuser............................................. 83
J.
Judicial Committee.............................. 31, 32, 38, 127
Investigation................................. 72, 79, 90
L.
Letter of Credence............................................. 21
Moderator......................................  58
Licensure............................................ 32, 39, 44, 45
Licentiate, Reception of..................................... 53
M.
Moderator's Letter, calling a Meeting of Presbytery  58
Minister, Suspension of...................................... 88
Minutes of General Assembly in Synod................. 125
N.
Narrative of State of Rleligion... 30, 35, 45, 121, 127, 131
0.
(O,'ganization of a Church....................................   59
)r(linlation Refutsecl....................................... 53
147 
INDEX.
P.
PAGE
Pastor, Death of................................................ 14
Election of............................................. 18
Dismission of................................. 49, 52, 55
Call of.......................... 27, 33, 41, 47, 49, 50
Installation of.................................28, 34, 48
Presbytery, Stated Mleeting of............................. 24
Adjourned Meeting of.......................  46
Special Meeting of........................ 51, 56
Uniting with by Certificate................. 28
Trial of a Member of...... 83, 96, 107, 130,
132, 136
Presbyterial Mission..........................................  31
Prosecutor Rebuked............................. 88
Private Rebuke................................................. 79
Protests........................................................... 109
Publication, Action upon................................. 31, 36
R.
Records of a Session............................. 5
in Presbytery................... 30, 37
of a Presbytery..................................... 24
in Synod......119, 128, 130, 136
of a Synod............................................ 115
Request for Investigation.................................... 90
Reference......................................................... 105
Rules............................................................... 138
S.
Session, Records of.................................... 5, 30, 37
Informal Meeting of..............................   9
148 
INDEX.
PAGE
Session, Stated Clerk of..................................... 17
Discipline in..................................... 66, 97
Reference by, to Presbytery.................... 106
Supply of Vacant Pulpit.............................. 15, 31, 42
Stated Supply................................................... 53
Sabbath-School............................................. 8
Synod, Records of............................................. 115
Special Meeting of Presbytery.......................... 51, 56
Suspension of a Minister....................................  88
Standing Rules................................................. 138
T.
Treasurer's Report............................ 26, 33, 120, 122
V.
Vacant Pulpit, Supply of........................... 15, 31, 42
13*
149